Graham Zusi

Graham Zusi
8
Midfielder
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • 5' 10"
  • 160 lbs.
  • 08-18-1986
  • Orlando, FL

Click here to view Zusi's 2013 MLS regular season highlights

After being named MLSSoccer.com’s Breakout Player of the Year in 2011 with five goals and seven assists, Zusi reached new heights in 2012 an an MLS All-Star, Best XI selection and MLS MVP finalist with five goals and an MLS-best 15 assists. A two-time NCAA champion at Maryland with goals in the semifinal and championship matches of the 2008 College Cup, Zusi was selected by Sporting KC in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He debuted with the U.S. Men’s National Team in January 2012 and has become a key contributor in FIFA World Cup Qualifying.

MLS:

2013: Zusi scored the game-tying goal against the Philadelphia Union in the 2013 MLS season opening match finishing a rebound from Benny Feilhaber's shot (video). Zusi notched the game-winning assist in the 66th minute on a free kick (video) and added an assist on an insurance goal in the 83rd minute (video) of the 3-1 victory at PPL Park. Zusi earned his third assist and second game-winning assist with a 1-0 win on the road against New York (video). Graham has played in, and started, twelve our of thirteen games this season and has recorded three goals and four assists thus far. 
 
2012:  After earning MLS Breakout Player of the Year for his performance during the 2011 MLS season, Zusi wasted no time living up to the honor in 2012. Zusi notched six assists and a goal in the first six games of the 2012 regular season. At the conclusion of the regular season, Zusi leads Sporting Kansas City and Major League Soccer in assists with 15. This mark is the third most assists in a single-season in Kansas City’s club history. In addition, Zusi’s League leading five game-winning assists in 2012 match the single-season club record. Zusi leads the League in corner kicks at the conclusion of the regular season with 150 corner kicks, most by a Sporting Kansas City player in club history and third most in MLS history behind Brad Davis (172 in 2011) and Marco Etcheverry (198 in 1998).. Zusi was named a 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star, 2012 MLS Best XI, and 2012 Volkswagen Most Valuable Player Finalist.
 
2011: Secured a starting place and clocked 2,329 minutes in 32 games for Sporting Kansas City. Notched five goals and seven assists, a team high, and played in all three playoff games for Sporting, including the Eastern Conference Final.  Recorded game-winning assists in three straight matches in June and was named MLS Player of the Month. Scored twice in 3-1 win over Portland on August 17, his second multi-goal game of the season, and was named MLS Player of the Week and earned the MLS Goal of the Week for his distance strike in the same match.  He was named to the MLS Team of the Week for week 31. Provided both assists to the 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of the playoffs on Nov. 2. 
 
2010: Made 19 appearances in his second year with the club, starting 4 games. He scored his first professional goal against the expansion Philadelphia Union. Also entered as a second-half substitute in Kansas City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United during summer friendly and started in U.S. Open Cup play-in match against Colorado.
 
2009: Selected 23rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Made 13 appearances as a rookie, starting five games. Recorded his first assist in MLS in the last game of the season, as he fed Kei Kamara for the team’s first goal against D.C. United. 
 
 
NATIONAL TEAM: Zusi was invited to United States Men’s National Team’s 2012 January camp in preparation for two friendlies against Venezuela and Panama.  He went on to start both matches and scored the lone goal in the win over Panama.  Zusi started three matches in the third round of CONCACAF 2014 World Cup Qualifying including a win over 3-1 Guatemala on October 16, 2012 in Kansas City, KS. He played significant minutes in the teams 1-0 victory over Mexico during a friendly at Azteca Stadium and earned an assist in the 2-1 victory over Jamaica. Called into the 2013 USMNT January Camp along with Sporting KC teammates Benny Feilhaber and Matt Besler. Zusi started in the January 29th, 2013 international friendly against Canada. He earned his eighth USMNT cap during the final round World Cup Qualifying against Honduras on Feburary 6th, 2013. Zusi started in the 1-0 win over Costa Rica on March 22, 2013 in Colorado. Zusi also started for the squad against Mexico at Estadio Azteca on March 26, 2013. He helped the team to a 0-0 draw against Mexico, marking only the second time in USMNT history that the team has earned a point at Estadio Azteca in World Cup Qualifying history. On May 20th, 2013, Zusi was selected to the Men's US National Team roster than will be participating in two friendlies vs Belgium and Germandy (June 2nd, June 18th) as well as three FIFA Workd Cup Qualifying games vs Jamacia, Panama, and Honduras (June 7th, 11th. 18th). 

 

COLLEGE: Played 4 seasons at the University of Maryland. Played in 89 games (65 starts), recording 28 goals and 20 assists during his college career. Helped Maryland win the National Championship in 2005 and 2008, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2008 National Semi-Final and Championship Games. Was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 2008 College Cup.
 
YOUTH: Three-time team captain for coach Danny Kirby at Lake Brantley High School. Netted 18 goals and 20 assists while helping his team to the district title. Named Orlando Sentinel Central Florida and Seminole County Player of the Year as a junior, scoring 25 goals and 15 assists, helping Lake Brantley to the state semifinals. two-time All-County and team MVP. Poured in 34 goals and added 27 assists as a sophomore. Tallied 98 goals and 77 assists during his high school career. Member of the Region III ODP team and was the team’s leading scorer at the Tournament of Champions. Member of the adidas inter-regional ODP all-star team. Also excelled at lacrosse.
 
PERSONAL: Has two younger sisters and one older brother who all play soccer. In his free time, Zusi enjoys spending time with his family and doing outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping. He also enjoys other sports that he played growing up, such as lacrosse, basketball and tennis. Listens to all types of music, especially indie rock. One of Zusi’s all-time favorite movies is Tommy Boy. Lists Zinedine Zidane and Chance Myers has his favorite soccer players, and enjoys watching Liverpool FC. Gameday traditions include breakfast at Simply Breakfast with chocolate chip pancakes, breakfast potatoes, turkey sausage and a gallon of water. Lists his top soccer memories as winning the College Cup with Maryland, playing in the opening match of Sporting Park and scoring for the U.S. Men's National Team. 

Career Statistics (Regular Season)

Year Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
2013 Sporting Kansas City 12 12 3 1057 4 23 7 16 7 0 0
2012 Sporting Kansas City 32 31 5 2788 15 82 24 39 4 3 0
2011 Sporting Kansas City 32 25 5 2329 7 47 16 26 2 4 0
2010 Kansas City Wizards 19 4 1 540 0 15 5 11 1 2 0
2009 Kansas City Wizards 13 5 0 524 1 6 2 5 1 0 0
Career Totals 108 77 14 7238 27 173 54 97 15 9 0

2013 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 12 12 3 1057 4 23 7 16 7 0 0

2012 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
MLS Playoffs Sporting Kansas City 2 2 0 180 1 5 0 7 0 1 0
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 32 31 5 2788 15 82 24 39 4 3 0

2011 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
MLS Playoffs Sporting Kansas City 3 3 0 270 2 4 0 5 0 0 0
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 32 25 5 2329 7 47 16 26 2 4 0

2010 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
MLS Regular Season Kansas City Wizards 19 4 1 540 0 15 5 11 1 2 0

2009 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS G MIN A SHT SOG FC OFF Y R
MLS Regular Season Kansas City Wizards 13 5 0 524 1 6 2 5 1 0 0
GP: Games Played, GS: Games Started, G: Goals, MIN: Minutes Played, A: Assists, SHT: Shots, SOG: Shots on Goal, FC: Fouls Committed, OFF: Offsides, Y: Yellow Cards, R: Red Cards, GF: Goals For, GA: Goals Against, SO: Shutouts, SV: Saves, PKA: Penalty Kick Attempts, PKG: Penalty Kick Goals, PKS: Penalty Kick Saves

Regular Season Game Log

Date Match Result Appearance MINS G A SHT SOG FC FS Y R
5/19/2013 KC @ DC T 1-1 Started 90 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
5/12/2013 KC @ HOU W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0
5/8/2013 SEA @ KC L 1-0 Started 90 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0
5/5/2013 CHV @ KC W 0-4 Started 67 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
4/27/2013 POR @ KC L 3-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
4/20/2013 KC @ LA L 0-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 1 4 0 0
4/17/2013 KC @ NY W 1-0 Started 90 0 1 2 1 3 0 0 0
4/5/2013 DC @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
3/30/2013 MTL @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 1 0 3 2 4 1 0 0
3/23/2013 KC @ NE T 0-0 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3/16/2013 CHI @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 2 0 1 5 0 0
3/9/2013 KC @ TOR L 1-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 1 3 0 0
3/2/2013 KC @ PHI W 3-1 Started 90 1 2 2 1 1 4 0 0
10/24/2012 PHI @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 0 5 2 1 0 0 0
10/20/2012 KC @ NY T 0-0 Started 88 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0
10/7/2012 KC @ CLB T 1-1 Started 87 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0
9/28/2012 CHI @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 2 0 3 2 1 2 0 0
9/22/2012 KC @ MTL T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 3 0 2 4 0 0
9/19/2012 KC @ NY W 2-0 Started 89 0 1 3 1 4 1 0 0
9/14/2012 HOU @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 0
9/1/2012 TOR @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 0 4 1 0 2 0 0
8/26/2012 NY @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0
8/18/2012 KC @ TOR W 1-0 Started 90 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0
8/11/2012 DC @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 1 1 4 2 3 0 1 0
8/4/2012 KC @ NE W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0
7/28/2012 CLB @ KC L 2-1 Started 90 0 1 2 2 2 2 0 0
7/21/2012 NE @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0
7/18/2012 KC @ HOU L 1-2 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7/14/2012 KC @ CLB W 2-0 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7/7/2012 HOU @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 5 1 2 1 0 0
7/4/2012 KC @ MTL W 3-1 Started 90 1 0 3 1 2 1 1 0
6/29/2012 CHI @ KC L 1-0 Started 90 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0
6/23/2012 KC @ PHI L 0-4 Started 90 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 0
6/20/2012 KC @ SEA T 1-1 Subbed On 40 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
6/16/2012 TOR @ KC W 0-2 Started 89 0 1 3 0 0 4 0 0
5/27/2012 SJ @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 5 1 1 2 0 0
5/19/2012 KC @ COL T 2-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0
5/12/2012 KC @ CHI L 1-2 Started 90 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
5/5/2012 MTL @ KC L 2-0 Started 90 0 0 5 1 1 0 0 0
4/21/2012 KC @ POR L 0-1 Started 90 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
4/18/2012 KC @ VAN W 3-1 Started 90 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0
4/14/2012 RSL @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 3 0 0
4/7/2012 LA @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 0
4/1/2012 KC @ CHV W 1-0 Started 89 0 1 3 1 1 3 0 0
3/25/2012 DAL @ KC W 1-2 Started 89 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
3/17/2012 NE @ KC W 0-3 Started 57 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 0
3/10/2012 KC @ DC W 1-0 Started 90 0 1 4 2 3 0 0 0
10/22/2011 KC @ DC W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 3 1 1 1 0 0
10/15/2011 NY @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 1 4 1 0 2 0 0
10/1/2011 KC @ SJ T 1-1 Subbed On 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/28/2011 CLB @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
9/23/2011 PHI @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/17/2011 KC @ RSL L 0-1 Started 90 0 0 1 0 3 4 1 0
9/10/2011 HOU @ KC W 0-3 Started 90 0 2 1 0 0 3 0 0
9/5/2011 LA @ KC T 2-2 Started 90 0 0 2 0 2 1 1 0
8/27/2011 DAL @ KC L 3-2 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
8/21/2011 DC @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
8/17/2011 POR @ KC W 1-3 Started 90 2 0 4 3 1 0 0 0
8/6/2011 SEA @ KC L 2-1 Started 90 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
8/3/2011 RSL @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
7/30/2011 NE @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0
7/23/2011 TOR @ KC W 2-4 Subbed On 32 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0
7/16/2011 KC @ HOU T 1-1 Started 90 0 0 5 2 0 1 0 0
7/9/2011 CHV @ KC T 1-1 Started 80 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
7/6/2011 COL @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 1 0 2 1 1 2 0 0
7/2/2011 KC @ POR W 2-1 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0
6/25/2011 VAN @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
6/22/2011 KC @ PHI T 0-0 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6/17/2011 SJ @ KC W 0-1 Started 63 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 0
6/12/2011 KC @ DAL W 4-1 Started 89 2 1 3 3 1 3 0 0
6/9/2011 CHI @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
6/4/2011 KC @ TOR T 0-0 Started 85 0 0 1 0 3 1 1 0
5/28/2011 KC @ COL T 1-1 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
5/21/2011 KC @ SEA L 0-1 Subbed On 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5/14/2011 KC @ LA L 1-4 Started 90 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0
4/30/2011 KC @ NY L 0-1 Started 90 0 0 2 0 1 3 0 0
4/23/2011 KC @ NE L 2-3 Subbed On 32 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0
4/16/2011 KC @ CLB L 0-1 Subbed On 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/2/2011 KC @ VAN T 3-3 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3/26/2011 KC @ CHI L 2-3 Subbed On 21 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
3/19/2011 KC @ CHV W 3-2 Subbed On 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/23/2010 SJ @ KC W 1-4 Started 90 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0
10/16/2010 KC @ NE L 0-1 Subbed On 20 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/12/2010 KC @ CHI W 2-0 Subbed On 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
10/9/2010 SEA @ KC L 2-1 Subbed On 17 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
10/2/2010 KC @ NY L 0-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/25/2010 DAL @ KC L 3-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/22/2010 HOU @ KC W 3-4 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/19/2010 KC @ CHV W 2-0 Subbed On 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
9/4/2010 KC @ PHI T 1-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8/28/2010 KC @ LA W 2-0 Subbed On 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8/21/2010 NE @ KC W 1-4 Subbed On 12 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
8/14/2010 KC @ SJ L 0-1 Subbed On 10 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
8/7/2010 RSL @ KC T 1-1 Subbed On 27 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
7/31/2010 TOR @ KC W 0-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7/17/2010 KC @ COL T 1-1 Subbed On 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
7/14/2010 KC @ CLB W 1-0 Subbed On 26 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
7/10/2010 CHV @ KC L 2-0 Subbed On 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7/3/2010 KC @ DAL L 0-1 Subbed On 19 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0
6/26/2010 NY @ KC L 3-0 Subbed On 24 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
6/10/2010 PHI @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
6/5/2010 KC @ TOR T 0-0 Subbed On 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5/29/2010 KC @ RSL L 1-4 Subbed On 13 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
5/23/2010 CLB @ KC L 1-0 Started 67 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0
5/15/2010 CHI @ KC T 2-2 Started 72 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
5/5/2010 KC @ DC L 1-2 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5/1/2010 KC @ HOU L 0-3 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/24/2010 LA @ KC T 0-0 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/17/2010 KC @ SEA L 0-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/10/2010 COL @ KC W 0-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3/27/2010 DC @ KC W 0-4 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GP: Games Played, GS: Games Started, G: Goals, MIN: Minutes Played, A: Assists, SHT: Shots, SOG: Shots on Goal, FC: Fouls Committed, OFF: Offsides, Y: Yellow Cards, R: Red Cards, GF: Goals For, GA: Goals Against, SO: Shutouts, SV: Saves, PKA: Penalty Kick Attempts, PKG: Penalty Kick Goals, PKS: Penalty Kick Saves