Graham Zusi is back at it again for Sporting Kansas City, signing a new contract for 2023 with an option for 2024.
The future Sporting Legend is one of two players (alongside Roger Espinoza) who played for the Wizards that are still with SKC.
Even at age 36, Zeus remains a fixture in Peter Vermes lineup at right back.
On March 25th, 2023, Zusi made his 400th appearance for Sporting Kansas City, making him the first player in club history to reach that milestone. SKC lost the match to Seattle Sounders by a score of 4-1 after a Ben Sweat second yellow card early in the second half.
SKC officially adopted hoops as their club identity when announcing the hoops 4.0 kit prior to the 2023 season.
The new shirt is actually the inverse of the 2016 and 2017 secondary hoops kit that remains one of my favorites from the rebrand era. They feature “PAINT THE WALL” on the inside neck and the SKC three diamonds on the back of the neck.
This hoops 4.0 primary shirt was worn by Graham Zusi in that March 25th, 2023 match against Seattle.
Zusi played 84 minutes before being subbed off for Jake Davis.
The kit was washed after the match and actually shows a decent amount of wash wear on the interior tagging, suggesting this shirt could have been used in a previous match as well.
An interesting change with this year’s kits is that the MLS patch is no longer a physical patch made out of cloth or plastic or rubber. It is just a heat pressed vinyl just like the numbers and sponsorship patches. This is a leaguewide initiative.
The new MLS patch sits just above the also new Apple TV patch. SKC does not have a sponsor for the right sleeve currently.
Graham Zusi signed the shirt in his typical spot on the back next to the number.