Sporting Kansas City’s MLS debutants announced themselves in a major way on Saturday night at BC Place in Vancouver.
Mexican striker Alan Pulido, acquired on a club-record transfer fee last December, prodded home a pinpoint header in the 17th minute on a headed assist from Croatian newcomer Roberto Puncec. Some 22 minutes later, Israeli midfielder Gadi Kinda marked his maiden MLS appearance with a Goal of the Week nominee.
Both plays were instrumental in lifting Sporting to a momentous 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
“For those guys to make an impact immediately helps them individually,” Sporting Manager Peter Vermes said of Pulido, Puncec and Kinda.