Sporting KC’s needs his best ... and for the most part, John Pulskamp is delivering

Andy Reid had Matt Moore pulling up the rear for an injured Patrick Mahomes in 2019.

And Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes has a capable deputy of his own at the goalkeeper position this season.

Although not quite the veteran that Moore was, 20-year-old John Pulskamp has started in the last four games for Sporting KC in the absence of injured regular starter Tim Melia.

Taking off his fútbol cap for a moment to share a football analogy, Vermes on Tuesday said he see the similarities between a quarterback change and a goalkeeper change.

“It’s nothing different than when a quarterback change happens and the new guy comes in and he has some things that he’s really comfortable with, and then so do the receivers,” Vermes explained. “They feel really comfortable with certain things, and they’ve got to find what they feel comfortable with together.”

Pulskamp has played every minute for Sporting KC this season as Melia continues to recover from a chest injury suffered before opening weekend. And although Melia is not listed on the team’s MLS injury report, Vermes described him as day to day ahead of Wednesday’s road game in Houston.

That means Pulskamp is looking at making a fifth straight start. And as it was for Moore when he quarterbacked the Chiefs for three games in 2019, there’s been a learning curve for Pulskamp.

“I think with every game the comfort and the confidence has grown,” Pulskamp said. “On the ball, just the way I carry myself and working with the team, I think it’s gotten better every game and I’m feeling more comfortable with the more minutes I get.”

Defensive midfielder Ilie Sanchez has played a key role in getting Pulskamp settled.

“Ilie has been a huge help, talking with him off the field during training, before the games,” Pulskamp said. “He definitely helps me make the right decisions and maybe things I could do differently, things that he wants to see. He’s really kind of dictating that backline, midfield, on how we want to play.”

Pulskamp hasn’t been afraid to voice what he needs from the squad, either. The goalkeeper’s booming voice is a near-constant presence as he communicates with his backline throughout Sporting’s games.

“I’m the same way in training and I’ve always been this way, so they know that’s how I am and that’s how they want me to be and that’s how the coaches want me to be,” Pulskamp said. “It’s not awkward at all. They respect me as a player and know that’s part of my job.”

Pulskamp made his MLS debut in a season-opening 2-1 win at the New York Red Bulls. He has anchored KC’s backline to a 2-1-1 record and conceded six goals in four games, but three of those came in a 3-1 road loss to Real Salt Lake.

Not the most glorious stat line, but looking away from the numbers, Pulskamp has been a fine fill-in as Melia works his way back toward full fitness.

In Sporting’s 2-1 victory over Austin, for instance, Pulskamp made an impact on Sporting KC’s late comeback with a good save following KC’s 90th-minute winner.

Veteran Graham Zusi described Austin’s goal shortly after kickoff as “unacceptable” on the defense’s part, and said Pulskamp bailed them out.

Pulskamp has also shown a willingness to sacrifice his personal safety by throwing himself in the way of ball and cleats alike to make a save.

But he‘s struggled some, too. He was beaten at his near post on a long-range shot against RSL and too-easily rounded by Austin forward Jon Gallegher for the visitors’ goal Sunday night.

Pulskamp also said he’d like to gain confidence playing the ball out with his feet at the MLS level.

“In every single one of these games,” he said. “I’ve sat down with multiple coaches, particularly Alec (Dufty), the goalkeeper coach. We break down all of my actions to see different things I can do differently.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2021 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Sporting KC’s needs his best ... and for the most part, John Pulskamp is delivering."