Sporting Kansas City’s Graham Zusi is no stranger to the MLS Team of the Week. But as a defender? Now that’s a different story.
The four-time MLS All-Star may have been new to the right back position, but his dynamic performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy suggested otherwise.
Typically deployed as a winger in Sporting KC’s 4-3-3 setup, Zusi settled into a fullback role as part of Manager Peter Vermes’ revamped lineup at Children’s Mercy Park. The end result for the U.S. international was a stuffed stat sheet and a spot on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week for Week 9.
Zusi tallied his third assist of the season in the 30th minute and created a game-high six chances while also keeping a high-powered Galaxy side at bay in the defensive third. LA mustered just four total shots and created three chances, both season lows, as Zusi contributed three recoveries and two clearances.
Sporting Kansas City (4-4-2, 14 points) will look to snap a five-game winless skid this weekend against rivals Houston Dynamo (1-5-2, 5 points) at BBVA Compass Stadium. Saturday’s match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT on 38 The Spot, SKCTV, 99.3 FM and 1340 AM.
