Name: Graham Zusi
Born: Aug. 18, 1986, in Orlando, Florida
Position: Midfielder
Pro club: Sporting Kansas City
Why is he in the news?
For the second consecutive season, Zusi was announced Tuesday as a member of the MLS Best XI team, awarded to the top 11 players in the league. Zusi scored a career-high six goals and added eight assists in 2013, helping Sporting Kansas City reach its first MLS Cup final since 2004. Zusi also emerged as a key player for the U.S. national team this past year, scoring three goals in qualifying games as the Americans qualified for their seventh consecutive World Cup. He’ll try to cap off a memorable year on Saturday when Sporting hosts Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup, hoping to deliver Kansas City’s second league championship.
He’s special because
A standout performer for both Sporting Kansas City and the United States national team, Zusi has established himself as one of the best midfielders in MLS over the past two seasons, winning praise for his consistent performances on the right side of the field. Possessing a deft touch, the Florida native also exudes confidence with his silky passing skills—he’s routinely near the top of the league’s assist leaders—and is a serious scoring threat from set-piece situations.
Club career
Zusi played college soccer at the University of Maryland, helping the Terrapins win national championships in 2005 and 2008, scoring the winning goal in the 2008 title match. He was selected in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2009 MLS Super Draft by Kansas City and made his pro debut later that year in a regular-season game against Toronto FC.
He plugged away in his first two MLS campaigns before a breakout 2011 season, establishing himself as a regular starter and tallying five goals and seven assists. Kansas City wasted no time in signing him to a new four-year deal, and he repaid the club’s faith by scoring another five goals and recording a league-leading 15 assists in 2012.
This past January, Zusi went on trial with English Premier League club West Ham United before returning home for another stellar year as Kansas City advanced to this weekend’s MLS Cup.
International career
After impressing in back-to-back MLS seasons, Zusi finally received a national team call-up by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann and made his debut on Jan. 25, 2012 in a friendly against Venezuela. Four days later he scored his first goal for the U.S. against Panama, and subsequently played a key role in the U.S.’s World Cup qualifying campaign. In total, Zusi has three goals in 18 appearances for his country.
Soccer Central podcast: ESPN.com columnist Jeff Carlise was a guest on the Soccer Central podcast earlier this week, previewing Saturday’s MLS Cup final and offering his views on the overall health of the league. To listen to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
His most famous moment
On Oct. 15, 2013, Zusi scored a stoppage-time equalizer against Panama in a World Cup qualifier for the United States, who had already qualified for next summer’s tournament. The U.S. went on to win, but Zusi’s goal meant more to Mexico, who needed Panama to draw or lose so they could advance to the intercontinental playoffs at the Panamanians’ expense.
Here’s an interesting fact
When Zusi returned home after the Panama game, Mexican fans gave him a framed photo and a plaque inscribed with the words San Zusi—Saint Zusi.
What they’re saying about him
“Zusi became a symbol south of the border, a beacon in the night and a harbinger of a fraught El Tri campaign ultimately come good. But he’s a symbol of more things. He’s a poster boy of the strides made by Major League Soccer as well.” — Leander Schaerlaeckens, Fox Sports soccer columnist.
He said it
“I’m not going to go over to Europe just because it’s Europe. I want to be at a club that fits my style of play and where I can compete for a role in that team, where I’m getting consistent playing time and getting better as a player. I’m not going to go over there just because of the name of a league or for a paycheque.” – Zusi to Fox Sports.
