Alan Pulido named 2023 MLS Comeback Player of the Year | OneFootball

Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido has been named the 2023 MLS Comeback Player of the Year after leading the team in goals scored and propelling them to a playoff spot.

Pulido, who originally joined SKC in late 2019, missed the entire 2022 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a knee injury. But the 32-year-old has returned to fine form, notching 15 goals and six assists across all competitions this term in 33 appearances for the Western Conference team.

Since joining SKC, Pulido has been a goal machine, tallying 30 strikes in 69 games played. His solid play after returning from the long-term injury saw him ink a new contract at Children's Mercy Park, keeping him at the club through the 2026 MLS season.

Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson received 25.50% of the total vote, while Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paulo tallied 9.12%, but Pulido took home the honors grabbing 34.08%.

Pulido's goals dragged Sporting Kansas City up the Western Conference table despite their poor start to the season, proving his worth to the team after returning to the field.

SKC shocked the MLS world in the first round of postseason action when they uprooted the number one seed in the Western Conference, St Louis CITY - and Pulido contributed three assists to help his side sweep the first-year team.

Sporting KC and Pulido gear up to take on Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference semifinals, with the decisive contest taking place at Shell Energy Stadium on November 26.