Graham Zusi

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.

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 LIVESTRONG Sporting Park and scoring for the U.S. Men's National Team.