Graham Zusi is one of the most impactful players to ever wear a Sporting Kansas City shirt.
He’s been an MLS All-Star seven different times, including four times in a row from 2012-2015. He was named to the MLS Best XI in 2012 and 2013. Oh, and he’s been a vital piece of one MLS Cup (2013) and three US Open Cups (2012, 2015, 2017) while moving around the field to stay relevant in Peter Vermes’ lineup.
Cheers of “ZUUS!” have rang out in Sporting Park throughout this decade, and that legend really got rolling in the 2012 MLS season.
Zusi scored 5 goals and added 15 assists in 2012.
He was absolutely on fire, and was rewarded for his stellar performance by being named a finalist for the MLS MVP award. He was co-named team MVP with Jimmy Nielsen.
On September 28th, 2012, Graham Zusi wore this jersey with a pink ribbon honor Breast Cancer Awareness and scored two goals in a 2-0 SKC win over the Fire. It was an incredible night from Zusi in a big match for the club late in the season.
The interesting thing about Zusi’s match worn jersey is that this is one of the few I’ve found that can be photomatched. There is a grass stain on the lower part of the “8” on the back that is clearly visible in 2 or 3 images of Zusi from the match.
It also features the MLS Works/Breast Cancer Awareness patch on the right breast. This shirt has an MLS Authentics hologram in the neck and came with an MLS Authentics LOA.
Graham Zusi went on to become a US Men’s National Team regular and a household name in MLS.
The 2012 and 2013 seasons were magical in Kansas City, though, and I’m pretty pumped to have one of his shirts from both seasons in my collection.