clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Hustler of the week: Saad Abdul-Salaam, Sporting Kansas City

He may not have impressed as much as some of his other Zips this week, but Saad Abdul-Salaam gets the nod this week for making his MLS debut and breaking into the Sporting KC first team. *With about three minutes to go in extra time, Abdul-Salaam takes the pitch at Sporting Park to cheers, applause and the smell of Kansas City BBQ.*

By Kellen Becoats
Sporting Kansas City defender Saad Abdul-Salaam (center) tries to split between Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Gonzalo Pineda (left) and defender Dylan Remick (15) during the second half at CenturyLink Field.
Sporting Kansas City defender Saad Abdul-Salaam (center) tries to split between Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Gonzalo Pineda (left) and defender Dylan Remick (15) during the second half at CenturyLink Field.
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

It's been a big week for Saad Abdul-Salaam.

Abdul-Salaam, the former No. 12 overall pick in the 2015 SuperDraft, has had a fairly up-and-down season at Sporting Park this year. After being loaned out to the San Antonio Scorpions earlier this season for some first-team minutes, it looked as if Abdul-Salaam would have to wait awhile for his MLS debut.

But Sporting KC have been struck with a spate of injuries lately, with four of the injuries coming against their defenders. This opened the door for Abdul-Salaam, and he finally broke out and made his MLS debut in the 91st minute of Sporting's 4-2 win against the New England Revolution on Wednesday.

He had very little to do, as he was only on the pitch for three minutes, but apparently that - as well as what he's been doing in training - was enough to convince KC's coach, Peter Vermes, to give him an extended run.

That chance came in Sporting's game against Seattle on Saturday, in which Abdul-Salaam was brought on for lone forward Jimmy Medranda in the 58th minute.

Abdul-Salaam did well to limit the rampant Sounders' forwards as well as provide width and support for the Sporting attack. As I mentioned in my first assessment of Abdul-Salaam, he is a greatly versatile player who can play in almost any outfield position.

It seemed as if he was being used predominantly as a midfielder Saturday, where his pace and height could aid his ability to beat players on the dribble and aerially. His injection allowed Sporting to grab a precious away point at CenturyLink Field, against one of the best teams in the league no less, making him our Hustler of the week.

Cheers to Abdul-Salaam and let's hope that this is just the beginning of a bright career for the former Zip and we see more of these tweets.

More From Hustle Belt