Graham Zusi enjoyed a career year in 2011 with Sporting Kansas City, hammering home five goals and contributing nine assists en route to being named MLSSoccer.com's Breakout Player of the Year. And now, just two weeks into his 2012 campaign, Sporting's playmaker is already off to an equally impressive start.
Called into his first training camp with the United States Men's National Team as one of only three players chosen to make their debut, the 25-year-old Zusi has wasted little time in making an impression on attacking-minded Manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
After enduring a grueling first phase of fitness, strength and conditioning workouts in Phoenix, Ariz., Zusi's strong showing from a physical standpoint earned him starts in both of the team's tune-ups against the U.S. Under-23 squad.
Not one to shy from the spotlight -- Zusi scored the game-winning goals in both the semifinal and championship matches for Maryland at the 2008 College Cup -- he made the most of his minutes, scoring in both matches and adding an assist against the US Olympic Team.
"It was nice to get those two goals. It increased my confidence, especially around the goal," Zusi said. "For me, without playing competitively for these past two months since our last game, you can maintain the fitness part of the game but it's tough to get back that touch and those qualities around goal. So to get two goals in the first two games was big for me to settle my nerves."
The first goal, "pretty much a tap-in" by Zusi's own estimation, came minutes after he had played the part of provider with an opportunistic interception and feed to Sporting KC teammate Teal Bunbury for a well-taken goal. Zusi then put last Friday's match out of reach with the final goal in the 4-0 win as he calmly capitalized on a cross from Brek Shea with a first-time finish at the backpost.
On Tuesday, Caleb Porter's U23 squad was bolstered by the addition of Bunbury and Bill Hamid for their rematch with the senior team, but Zusi again found his way onto the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw. Making a well-timed run behind the backline, Zusi received the pass from Benny Feilhaber and drove his shot past Hamid and inside the far post.
"For me, playing in a position I haven't played too often -- outside right-- I'm pretty pleased with the way I'm playing," Zusi said. "The system allows me to tuck inside as well, where I'm a little more familar with so I like it. I like being able to get the ball on the outside and cut in and take on outside backs."
Zusi will now look to continue his strong showing as the United States gets set for their first match of 2012 against Venezuela at 8 p.m. CT on Saturday (ESPN3, Galavision) at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
