Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi was named to the MLS All-Star Fan XI on Friday ahead of the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, set for Aug. 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The summer showcase between the MLS All-Stars and reigning UEFA Champions League and Spanish La Liga winner Real Madrid will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT on FS1 and UniMas.
2017 MLS ALL-STAR FAN XI
- Goalkeeper: Tim Howard (COL)
- Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (HOU), Greg Garza (ATL), Graham Zusi (SKC)
- Midfielders: Miguel Almiron (ATL), Michael Bradley (TOR), Kaka (ORL), Bastian Schweinsteiger (CHI)
- Forwards: Sebastian Giovinco (TOR), Nemanja Nikolic (CHI), David Villa (NYC)
Zusi, 30, earns MLS All-Star recognition for the fifth time in his career, tied with current teammate Matt Besler for third-most in club history behind Preki (seven) and Jimmy Conrad (six). The right back previously received All-Star accolades every year from 2012-2015, a period that saw Sporting Kansas City win an MLS Cup and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups.
Zusi has started 15 of 16 MLS appearances this season for a Sporting Kansas City side that has posted nine shutouts and boasts a league-low 0.70 goals against average. In addition to his contributions along a stingy back line, Zusi has tallied four assists in all competitions — including one in the U.S. Open Cup — and leads MLS defenders with 31 chances created and 18 shot attempts.
A native of Longwood, Florida, Zusi joined Sporting Kansas City in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Maryland. Since then, the nine-year veteran has amassed 29 goals and 64 assists in 244 competitive matches for the club, ranking second in the team’s all-time assist chart. In addition to being the only player to feature in every MLS All-Star Game from 2012-2015, Zusi was a 2012 and 2013 MLS Best XI selection and the 2011 MLS Breakout Player of the Year.
Zusi is in contention to record his 50th career cap for the U.S. Men’s National Team on Saturday when the Americans kick off their 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign against Panama. He debuted for the U.S. MNT in 2012 and has notched five goals and six assists on the international stage, including two assists at the 2014 FIFA World Cup where he featured in all four games as the Yanks reached the Round of 16. Zusi also represented his country at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2016 Copa America Centenario, playing all five matches in last summer’s tournament.
The full 2017 MLS All-Star roster, consisting of 24 players, will be announced in mid-July. The squad will include the Fan XI, 11 additional players selected by MLS All-Stars head coach Veljko Paunovic of the Chicago Fire, and two selections from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Under the guidance of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid claimed its 33rd La Liga championship and 12th UEFA Champions League title last season. The club’s star-studded roster currently includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
This will mark the first time a team from Spain's La Liga will appear in the MLS All-Star Game. The MLS All-Stars have previously faced clubs from the England’s Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A, Mexico's Liga MX and the Scottish Premier League, owning an 8-4-1 record against some of the world’s most decorated clubs.
The best way to guarantee a ticket to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game is to contact the Chicago Fire at 888-MLS-Fire or tickets@chicago-fire.com. For the ultimate fan experience, visit MLSsoccer.com/allstar for VIP ticket package details.
