Graham Zusi

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected in the 2nd round (23rd overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

PRONUNCIATION:ZOO-see

Graham Zusi went from second round draft pick to designated player over the course of his SKC career. He is the only player in the league to have appeared in four successive MLS All Star games. He has made 204 competitive appearances for Sporting and is second in club history with 56 assists in all competitions. In 2012 his 15 assists made him a league MVP finalist. He was Sporting's 2014 Co-MVP and the team MVP in 2013 during their MLS Cup Championship run. He is a pillar of the team and the Kansas City community, and Sporting will be hoping to see him continue his elite performances through the course of his prime.

INTERNATIONAL: Zusi has made 32 appearances for the US National team, and was a part of the squad that traveled to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, where he tallied two assists in four appearances, including setting up the late game winer for John-Anthony Brooks in the opening game against Ghana. He is affectionately known as "San Zusi" in Mexico, for inadvertently helping El Tri qualify for the 2014 World Cup with a late qualifying goal against Panama.

COLLEGE: Played 4 seasons at the University of Maryland. Played in 89 games (65 starts), recording 28 goals and 20 assists during his college career. Helped Maryland win the National Championship in 2005 and 2008, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2008 National Semi-Final and Championship Games. Was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 2008 College Cup.