John Pulskamp is the heir apparent in net for Sporting Kansas City.
The California native known as “Big Bear” got an extended run as the number one goalkeeper last season thanks to an injury to Tim Melia, and he received another few games early in the 2023 season as Melia rounded into form.
Pulskamp has shown flashes of being a very capable MLS starter and at just 22 years old he’s still got plenty of room to grow before he hits his prime.
He’s already managed two clean sheets in 2023 despite the struggles in front of him defensively and offensively. Where he goes from here is a mystery, but SKC fans are optimistic that Pulskamp will be the next in a line of great goalkeepers in Kansas City.
John Pulskamp wore this jersey during the March 25th, 2023 match against the Seattle Sounders.
It’s a match the young keeper would probably like to forget as Jordan Morris scored a hat trick plus another for good measure and Sporting Kansas City lost 4-0.
It was a brutal game for the club that resulted in several lineup changes for the next fixture, including Melia returning from injury to replace Pulskamp.
Despite that ugly background, Pulskamp shirt is a unique addition to the collection.
The oddly placed MLS and Apple TV patches on the left sleeve.
The young goalkeeper’s jersey is photomatched to two different photos from the match thanks to a very uniquely placed MLS patch and Apple TV patch.
The MLS patch is the first one I’ve seen from the 2023 crop that is actually noticeably crooked and not lined up with the three stripes on the shoulder. It juts down at an odd angle creating a larger gap between it and the stripes from left to right. That gap is very visible in those photos of Pulskamp, and one of the photos even appears to show the ghosting of where the MLS patch was moved.
Pulskamp’s shirt doesn’t show a ton of wear and has no picks or pulls. It was washed by the team before I acquired it, and the goalkeeper signed it on the back next to his number.
The design on this particular green goalkeeper kit with the diamond accents is very reminiscent of old Umbro jerseys.
