On the Record
Here's What People Are Saying About... Graham Zusi
July 21, 2014
10:44 AM
Picture being presented to @gzusi today by Mexico fans pic.twitter.com/RKwernqEj9
— Thad (@TheBackpost) October 17, 2013
In December 2013, Zusi became lifted the MLS Cup after a penalty shootout battle of epic proportions against Real Salt Lake, was named to the MLS Best XI for the second consecutive season, and was named Sporting Kansas City’s MVP.
Graham Zusi is very close to cementing his place as first attacking player off the bench at the World Cup, if he's not a starter. #USMNT
— Andy Edwards (@AndyEdMLS) February 1, 2014
In early May 2014, Klinsmann named his preliminary 30-man roster for Brazil and pre-World Cup training camp. Most of the talk was centered on Julian Green’s inclusion and Eddie Johnson’s exclusion. The focus on Zusi was positive, relatively quiet, and it seemed like a given that he would be involved.
As Dan O'Pids wrote on MLSoccer.com on May 12, “I'd like to see Wondo in Brazil. Guys like him and Zusi help maintain the feeling that something good could happen at any moment, regardless of how late in the game it is—as long as you're not down by more than two.”
Peter Elliott added, “As a Kansas-Citian, it is absolutely fantastic to see no discussion about whether Zusi and Bes should be in this roster. This little, 'dinky' plains town is representing the country down in Brazil. #blessed”
Klinsmann named his final 23-man World Cup squad on May 22. Immediately thereafter podcasts, online discussions, and column inches focused on one player who hadn't made the cut: Landon Donovan.
I wholeheartedly disagree with Donovan not being on the 23, but I do like Graham Zusi taking set pieces. #USMNT #LifeWithoutLandon
— Khalil P. Garriott (@khalilgarriott) May 28, 2014
On June 5, Vermes reacted to Zusi’s place in Klinsmann’s plans, telling USA Today, “He is the hardest working guy in training every day. With that persistence, that work ethic, you just knew it was going to come together eventually. You can only keep someone like that down for so long when they have so much to give, and that guy gets better every day.”
Ahead of the United States' opener against Ghana, Zusi spoke with the assembled media in Brazil, saying: “This is obviously a position I’ve never been in. It’s a different level than anything than I’ve played in front of before. And I’m excited for it. I think this is what every player plays for. And I couldn’t be more excited.
“I’ve put an extremely huge amount of work into this. There’s times where I can’t believe that I am here, but on the other hand to see that work pay off feels really good.”
Three days later the U.S. kicked off its tournament against Kwesi Appiah’s Black Stars. On the pitch for just 13 minutes, Zusi’s crucial assist for Brooks in the 86th minute saw Klinsmann’s side win 2-1. The praise for Zusi, among others, was effusive.
Zusi to Brooks is the new Donovan to Bocanegra. WOW #USMNT
— Avi Creditor (@AviCreditor) June 16, 2014
Klinsmann deserves a ton of credit for waiting for the right time to use that last sub & making the perfect one to go with #Zusi. #USAvGHA
— Vince Ferrara (@VinceSports) June 16, 2014
Maybe we can get Zusi to sainthood status in the States too?
— The Full 90 (@TheFull90) June 16, 2014
And of course, this:
It's all in that Zusi hair! #USA #WorldCup2014
— mattRaoul (@mattRaoul) June 16, 2014
On June 22, the U.S. took on Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Early feedback suggested that Zusi was struggling against Paulo Bento’s side.
Not sure about right-footed Zusi being on the left. Probably the best crosser on the team, so this might minimize his impact. #USMNT
— Jesse Yomtov (@JesseYomtov) June 22, 2014
Dempsey getting a number of chances. Zusi needs to be a bit more switched on. #USMNT #IBelieveThatWeWillWin
— Tom Pearson (@tom7p) June 22, 2014
Zusi’s set-piece service tonight hasn’t exactly been 86th-minute-vs-Ghana proficient. #USA #USMNT
— Avi Creditor (@AviCreditor) June 22, 2014
Until he bagged another assist, that is.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL #usmnt @ussoccer I love ZUSI!!! #WorldCup2014
— schneidermike (@schneidermike) June 22, 2014
Gonzalez coming on for Zusi. Uneven effort from Zusi but he found the right pass when we needed it most.
— michael whitley (@michaelwhitley) June 22, 2014
And then, you guessed it, the hair became part of the conversation:
Zusi's hair is not being respected by Portugal enough. #usa
— Kevin Koczwara (@kkoczwara) June 22, 2014
In stoppage time, Omar Gonzalez came on toreplace Zusi as the U.S. looked to safeguard its lead with a shored-up defence. Yet in the dying minutes of the game, Portugal equalized and leveled the score at 2-2.
Zusi started and played 84 minutes in the U.S.'s 1-0 defeat to Germany on June 26, coming off for DeAndre Yedlin in the 84th minute. The narrow loss, combined with Portugal's victory over Ghana, saw the U.S. advance to the knockout rounds.
Graham Zusi playing much better for #USMNT in this game. Promising sign.
— Tom Pearson (@tom7p) June 26, 2014
As the showdown with Group H winners Belgium approached, Klinsmann had this to say about Zusi: “He's in the inner circle now. He has stepped it up, gained confidence and that's great to see.”
The Sporting KC man saw 72 minutes of action in the U.S.’ 2-1 second-round defeat at the hands of Belgium and, despite struggling against a side widely tipped as tournament dark horses, it seemed that Zusi’s detractors were out in force.
Luckily Kevin De Bruyne's finishing was as bad as Graham Zusi's vision.
— Mike Foss (@themikefoss) July 1, 2014
Eden Hazard has outclassed Graham Zusi this match. Shut down anything Zusi has tried to start going forward.
— Mike Foss (@themikefoss) July 1, 2014
Graham Zusi looked way better in qualifying than he has in this tournament and I don't fully understand why.
— Alan Pyke (@PykeA) July 1, 2014
Graham Zusi is as useless as he is handsome. And boy is he handsome.
— Josh Scherer (@CulinaryBroDown) July 1, 2014
Wondolowski comes on for Graham Zusi, who battled hard but found the going tough tonight.
— Martin Rogers (@mrogersyahoo) July 1, 2014
Two thirds of the room just yelled "Yes!" when Zusi got subbed. The other third thinks he has great hair. #USMNT #USAvsBEL
— ChristopherDReed (@Chrisreed619) July 1, 2014
As Packer commented on American Soccer Now, “Zusi was one of several real disappointments for me. I think he's a really good player capable of taking it to international competition, but outside of two really good assists (which definitely count for something), his touch was off. If he and Bradley had had their "normal" touch in this World Cup, things could have turned out differently.”
With GodsHolyTrousers typing, “Zusi has two assists and a high work rate. That has to count for something. On the other hand, he was gassed after the Germany game, and we need a bigger rotation of players to be successful in the later rounds of a tournament of this quality.”
Winning the MLS Cup last year and playing through the “Group of Death” and into the World Cup second round this year, there is no question that Zusi’s career is on an exciting trajectory.
Also, he will continue playing in the United States for the foreseeable future. Amid rumours that MLS might lose him to a European suitor, Zusi has put pen to paper on a new contract with Sporting Kansas City. As he told The Kansas City Star on July 19, “It was an easy decision for me. The vision and direction of this club is something I want to be a part of for a long time.”
Onward and upward for the MLS and for Zusi, whose decision to stay is great news for Sporting Kansas City fans.
There’s just one thing to add, ladies and gentlemen: It appears that Graham Zusi has cut his hair.
First client of the day! Mr @gzusi pic.twitter.com/ocibTdzFxl
— Dom Dwyer (@Ddwyer14) July 5, 2014
What do you think about Graham Zusi's ascension into the U.S. national team, his World Cup showing, and his decision to re-sign with Sporting Kansas City? The Comments section is yours.
Laura Greeneis a frequent ASN contributor. If you'd like to see a particular U.S. player receive the On the Record treatment, tell us below.