Should Sporting KC move on from John Pulskamp?

Sporting KC sporting director David Lee has a major decision to make regarding goalkeeper John Pulskamp. As noted earlier this week on ReportingKC.com, Pulskamp’s contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, and according to Transfermarkt, there are no options attached. 

If a new deal is not negotiated, Sporting KC risk losing their No. 1 goalkeeper for free.
That is not ideal for any club, let alone one in the middle of a rebuild. At the same time, Pulskamp isn’t untouchable.

Pulskamp became Sporting KC’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2025, appearing in all 34 MLS regular-season matches. In the two seasons prior, he had played just 11 times in MLS. According to FBref, he earns $250,000 per year, a relatively modest figure in a league where top goalkeepers can command significantly higher salaries. According to Spotrac, Pulskamp is the 35th highest-paid goalkeeper in the league. The website also claims Pulskamp earned over $273,000 per season in 2025 in total salary.

At 24, Pulskamp is still young for a goalkeeper. Development at the position is often made through experience over time. Consider Sporting KC legend Jimmy Nielsen, who arrived in Kansas City in his early 30s after more than 400 matches in Denmark. Or Tim Melia, whose career path included years in the lower leagues before establishing himself in MLS and winning multiple U.S. Open Cups.

Pulskamp’s trajectory has been different. He developed through SKC II in MLS NEXT Pro before stepping into the first team. The results have been inconsistent. SKC II isn’t the best at developing players for first-team football currently. Performances like Pulskamp’s recent howler against the Colorado Rapids have only amplified the debate around his long-term viability as a starter.

A rebuild brings tough decisions

With Sporting KC still rebuilding under Raphael Wicky, the question is not just whether Pulskamp stays, but whether he should be the goalkeeper the club builds around. Bringing in competition or a replacement entirely cannot be ruled out.

That leads to a more important question: if Sporting KC looks elsewhere, who fits?

The global market offers options, and several goalkeepers with expiring contracts in 2026 could realistically be targets. These are not superstar names, but players who could fit MLS’s financial and competitive reality.

Dayne St. Clair – Inter Miami

Dayne St. Clair is one of the top goalkeepers in MLS. Despite joining Inter Miami in the offseason, his contract is set to expire in December. At 29 by season’s end, he is entering his prime.

St. Clair earned just over $600,000 with Minnesota in 2025 and will likely command more in Miami. For Sporting KC, that kind of investment would represent a clear upgrade and a long-term solution at the position.

Yann Sommer – Inter Milan

Yann Sommer is 37 but remains at an elite level with Inter Milan. This season, he has played 28 Serie A matches and kept 14 clean sheets.

Sommer would be a short-term solution, but a high-impact one. If Sporting KC were to use a Designated Player slot on a goalkeeper, he would bring immediate quality and leadership. The trade-off is obvious, but there is no long-term upside at his age.

Carlos Moreno – Pachuca

Carlos Moreno offers a more balanced profile. The Pachuca captain’s contract expires in June 2026, and at 28, he is firmly in his prime.

Moreno has played 30 matches this season across all competitions, keeping six clean sheets. According to FotMob, he conceded 21 goals from 67 shots in the Apertura and 10 from 37 in the Clausura. The numbers are solid, and his 6-foot-2 frame (the same size as Pulskamp) adds a physical presence that Sporting KC could use in goal. .

Angus Gunn – Nottingham Forest

Angus Gunn represents more of a gamble. He has made just one appearance for Nottingham Forest this season, playing 45 minutes and conceding once.

However, the broader context matters. Gunn played 35 matches for Norwich City in the EFL Championship the previous season and, at 30, still has years ahead of him. The challenge would be financial. 

His reported $2.1 million salary would likely need to decrease significantly for a move to MLS. However, a player with a pedigree with Premier League and Championship teams would bring leadership and experience to the club. 

David Soria – Getafe

David Soria is perhaps the most complete option. The Getafe goalkeeper has made 29 La Liga appearances this season, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding 31 goals.

His numbers stand out. Soria has a 75% save percentage, has made 94 saves, and has prevented 4.71 goals.  He has also acted as a sweeper 22 times, a trait that would benefit Sporting KC’s defensive structure. 

The obstacle, again, is cost. At nearly $3 million per year, he represents a significant financial commitment, but one that could elevate the team immediately. The top keeper in MLS earns just under $2 million. MLS teams aren’t typically going to spend this heavily on a goalkeeper, which makes it still an undervalued position. 

What comes next

Pulskamp’s situation reflects a broader reality at Sporting KC. The club is not just rebuilding a roster; it is redefining it..

Goalkeeper is one of the few positions where stability can define a team’s identity. Whether Sporting KC believe Pulskamp can grow into that role or decide to invest elsewhere will say a lot about the direction of this rebuild.

For now, the numbers, the contract situation, and the performances all point to one conclusion. This is not a decision that can be delayed.