KCWizards.com caught up with second-year midfielder Graham Zusi this week to talk about the 2010 season. Zusi has been an important player for Kansas City, appearing in 15 games (3 starts) and scoring his first professional goal. See what Zusi has to say bout life as a professional on and off the field.
You volunteered to have your head shaved for Bald is Beautiful last week at Children’s Mercy Hospital. What made you want to participate, and how are people taking to your new look?
It’s pretty easy to decide to do something like that. It is really neat to go out there and visit with the kids and do something for them. It’s something that you get to see on their faces that it means a lot to them, and it’s a lot of fun to go out there and hang out with those kids.
Honestly, for me it wasn’t a huge change. My hair was fairly short already, though it is now the shortest it’s ever been. But it wasn’t as drastic as some of the other guys, and I like to keep it short so it’s low maintenance and easy to deal with anyways.
You’re in your second season in MLS, having played 15 games this season and 28 now since being drafted in 2009. What have you taken away from these first couple seasons of your career, and what’s your outlook going forward?
It’s been a good couple of years. My first year was a huge learning experience. That’s what I took from it, just taking everything I could from the older guys and some of the guys that have been in the league a few years and learning as much as I possibly could to get better throughout the year. The season in Major League Soccer is so much longer than everything I had played in previously in college, so that was different as well. It can be kind of hard to go through highs and lows, but you try to come out on top from those.
This year I was really excited to come in and try to earn some more playing time. I’ve kind of done that now as I’ve seen more consistent playing time throughout the season and earned a few starts and got my first goal.
Last year you were living with fellow rookie Matt Besler in his parent’s place, what’s the one thing you miss the most, and the thing you miss the least, about moving out on your own?
Well I’d have to say I miss the home-cooked meals the most; you can’t say enough about those. Those are incredible, and just the hospitality they provided was really cool, especially in my first year. They just kind of took me in, and it was a really nice thing to have.
I don’t think I can think of any bad things to be honest; it was such a good experience. We have an apartment now, so moving out on our own now and finding out what it’s like to have more responsibilities is different, but it’s neat to have your own place and live on your own.
Two big moments in 2010: your first goal as a professional and playing against Manchester United. What were those experiences like?
Playing against Manchester United, it’s just an awesome experience. Being on the other side of Giggs and Scholes, you just have to sit back and look at it afterwards. It took a few days to believe that it happened. That atmosphere, the opponent, it was more than we could ask for. For us to come out and get the win was an added bonus. It was a really cool opportunity to play them.
My goal, it was against Philly, and it was kind of neat because it came against Chris Seitz who I played with at Maryland, so it was kind of cool to get my first one against him. We had a good laugh about it afterwards. He’s a great goalie, and he’ll be in the league a long time, if not overseas. It was cool to get my first one.
How do those stack up in comparison to your college career at Maryland – two NCAA Championships, 2008 College Cup Offensive MVP, game-winning goals in the semi-final and championship matches?
You can’t compare the two at all. They’re two different stages in my career really. College was great, but all that was just a preparation to take it to the next level. A lot of those things were really special, and I’ll never forget that, but ultimately it was preparation to get to the next step, and no school does that better than the University of Maryland, in my opinion. Just look at all the players around the league now (from Maryland); it’s a testament to that.
Speaking of Maryland, the Terps are coming off a loss to North Carolina last week, which is where Michael Harrington played (though they did beat Korede Aiyegbusi’s alma mater NC State the week before). How much do those college rivalries carry over into the locker room, and what’s it like being teammates with a couple guys you used to play against in college?
Ha, we talk about it. It comes up for sure. I don’t let Mikey forget that I never lost to UNC in my four years at Maryland. They’re a good team, a lot of history there. But I have to remind him from time to time.
It’s pretty cool actually being teammates now. Those guys are your enemies in college and then you come here and you kind of know them as a person instead of just a rival. They’re never as bad as they seem when you’re going against them. It’s cool to become good friends with all those guys too. It’s a really cool process.
Lastly, FIFA 11 hit the shelves this week. How long until you get a copy, and who on the Wizards is the best FIFA aficionado?
I’m not a big video game player. I enjoy watching the competitions, especially seeing Mikey, Davy and those guys can get heated. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
I’m trying to think who the best would be. I know Mikey is pretty good; that’s what I’ve heard and seen. The one game I saw him play Davy, I think he won 11-1, so I don’t think Davy’s the best player. Those are the only two guys I’ve seen play, so I’ll give it to Mikey just on my lack of knowledge.
Thanks, Graham.
