Alan Pulido set to return for Sporting KC, hopes time off will help him hit top form

Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes played it safe with Alan Pulido over the weekend, but now his star striker is set for a return as the team welcomes Orlando City SC to Children's Mercy Park on Wednesday evening (6:30 p.m. CT | FS1).

"He will definitely be a part of the team tomorrow," Vermes told reporters on a conference call Tuesday. He added that although Pulido was theoretically available for Saturday's match against FC Dallas, a 3-2 loss, he opted to rest the 29-year-old to avoid re-aggravating a hamstring strain that had kept him out since Aug. 29.

Vermes did not get into specifics as to what Pulido's role would be after missing the last four games, while the Mexico…