SKC’s Agada, Pulskamp pick up weekly honors after big win
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A dominant 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers earned two players from Sporting Kansas City a spot in the Week 26 Team of the Week.
Forward William Agada and goalkeeper John Pulskamp received the weekly awards after scoring twice and dominating goal respectively.
Agada notched his second brace in 5 games for SKC and continued his electrifying streak of 5 goals in 5 games since his arrival in July.
The Nigerian striker found the net in each half of the one-sided win. His first came from a service into the box that ricocheted off in the middle of the box and the opportunist Agada fired his left foot over the goalkeeper’s head in the 31st minute.
Defender in the 75th minute Ben Sweat played a picture-perfect through ball to Agada for a first touch finish once again past the goalkeeper to take the lead to 4.
Agada is the third player in SKC history to score 5 goals in his first 5 appearances, after Felipe Gutierrez in 2018 and Miklos Molnar in 2000.
Pulskamp, on the Team of the Week bench, pulled off a master class of saves as he searched for his first goal of the season.
Despite giving up a late goal against Sebastian Blanco, the 21-year-old youngster made four saves that night. including an incredible double save as he came off his line to thwart a scoring opportunity from Yimmy Chara, jumped to his feet and shuffled back in time to stop Blanco’s second long-range effort, who was trying to bat it over Pulskamp.
Pulskamp, who normally has a backup role, has replaced the injured Tim Melia and his performance on Saturday was good enough to be honored as Team of the Week for the first time in his career.
Week 26 team of the week lineup
Goalkeeper: Thomas Hasal (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Defenders: John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Damion Lowe (Inter Miami), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Midfielders: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Forward: William Agada (Sporting Kansas City)Julian Carranza (Philadelphia Union), Romell Quioto (CF Montreal)
Head Coach: Adrian Heath (Minnesota United)
Bank: John Pulskamp (Sporting Kansas City)Domenico Criscito (Toronto FC), Cesar Araujo (Orlando City), Santiago Rodriguez (NYCFC), Kwadwo Opoku (LAFC), Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew), Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders)