Alan Pulido exit sparks Sporting KC bold rebuild and what happens next will stun fans | OneFootball

Alan Pulido's departure from Sporting Kansas City to Chivas Guadalajara marks the end of a chapter that, despite its ups and downs, left a significant imprint on the club's recent history. For a team trying to bounce back from a disastrous season, this move could be both a financial relief and an opportunity to reshape the roster.

In more than five seasons with Sporting KC, Pulido scored 38 goals and provided 19 assists in 108 matches. Solid numbers that, at first glance, might suggest a longer stay. But the subtleties of his journey told a deeper story.

The 2022 season was a critical turning point. After a knee injury had him out for months, Pulido could have been written off as a disappointing investment. But he came back-and what a comeback it was. A forward who managed to regain not only his form but also became the MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, it was not enough to swing the collective fortunes for Sporting KC since the team finished the season at 13th in the Western Conference standings.

Decision to let him go

The rebuild in Sporting KC goes far beyond Pulido. The club has already moved on from several key veterans, including Tim Melia, Andreu Fontàs, Rémi Walter, and Johnny Russell. A near-total overhaul, the roster shake-up, is born of desperation for results.

With Pulido's departure at 33 years of age, it means the highly valued Designated Player slot becomes free-an incredibly important factor in the financial and strategic environment that is Major League Soccer. For a team that missed out on the playoffs and desperately needs some new life, salary cap space, was a smart move.

Sporting KC's future

Pulido's departure now opens up a new era for Sporting KC, the chance to start rebuilding the attack, putting investment into a DP that's going to bring in youth, speed, and more importantly, consistency.

Every move needs to be calculated in MLS, with unique rules and salary restrictions dominating the league. Sporting KC can't afford to miss the mark on their next DP. If they want to go head-to-head with the league's heavyweights, the next addition needs to be a leader both on and off the field.

Challenges and expectations in the rebuild

Rebuilding a roster isn't about player-for-player swaps; it's about having a vision for what success should look like on the pitch. For Sporting KC, it has to be about building a team that can compete week in and week out in an ever-challenging league. That means striking a balance between seasoned veterans and young talent who can grow into the system.