How important Alan Pulido has been to Sporting Kansas City's success in 2020

Sporting Kansas City splashed the cash and set a new club-record transfer fee to sign Alan Pulido with the hope the Mexican star would play an influential role in the club’s success.

But how integral has Pulido been? Maybe more than even Peter Vermes even expected.

The 29-year-old has been hot in Orlando, assisting on both of Sporting’s goals in a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake to close out the group stage after scoring a goal in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids.

With three goals and four assists in six games this season, Pulido has been involved in seven of Sporting’s 13 total goals in 2020. That’s 53 percent of the club’s goals.

Going back to last season, only four players were involved in 50 percent or more of their team’s goals. It’s a who’s who of the league’s biggest stars a year ago.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy (63.79 %)
• Carlos Vela, LAFC (57.65 %)
• Josef Martinez, Atlanta United (53.45 %)
• Nani, Orlando City SC (50 %).

Sporting are hoping Pulido continues that trend in the MLS is Back Tournament quarterfinals against the Philadelphia Union Thursday (8 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN, TVAS2).

It won’t be easy, though, because Andre Blake has the best shotstopping numbers among goalkeepers in the tournament.