Not many players have a solid claim to being one of the best players at multiple positions in their club’s history, but Graham Zusi can lay that claim at Sporting Kansas City.
After breaking out and becoming an MLS Best XI player on the right wing (and occasionally the left) for SKC, Zusi converted to right back and earned three more MLS All-Star appearances in 2017, 2018, and 2019 as a defender. He also made multiple appearances for the USMNT at right back after the switch.
The future Sporting Legend reached the 400 appearance mark for the club in 2023 and is the longest tenured player at one club in Major League Soccer history.
He appeared in 21 games in Major League Soccer in 2022, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists.
This very rare Pride number set primary shirt was worn on June 12th, 2022 against the New England Revolution in a 2-1 loss.
The match featured both teams wearing Love Unites Pride warmup tops and Sporting Kansas City wearing special number sets made in honor of the Progressive flag as part of the club’s Soccer For All initiative.
Graham Zusi played all 90 minutes of regulation time in the match before being subbed off for Kayden Pierre to finish the seven minutes of added time.
Along with the unique Pride/Progress inspired number set, these jerseys also lacked an MLS badge on the right shoulder. This sets the jersey apart even more because the club wore badges on both sleeves in virtually every other game they played.
The shirt has some very light signs of wear. It is signed by Zusi next to the back number.
This is one of very few Pride related SKC shirts that I know of out in the hobby, with the other being Tim Melia’s from the same match.
