Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi was recognized today for his magnificent, goal-scoring performance in Sporting’s 2-1 road victory against Nashville SC on Sunday evening, receiving his first selection of the year to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi. Zusi scored his 10th career goal from outside the box, firing a perfectly-placed shot into the upper-90 from 24 yards out.
In the 51st minute of Sunday's contest, Zusi doubled Sporting's lead in emphatic fashion. The seven-time MLS All-Star unleashed an attempt with his left foot over the outstretched hands of Joe Willis and into the back of the net.
His sublime strike proved to be the difference in the match as Sporting went on to beat Nashville at GEODIS Park 2-1, snapping the host's 25-match unbeaten streak and handing them their first home loss in over two years.
A 2009 MLS SuperDraft Second Round selection, Zusi has become Mr. Sporting Kansas City, becoming the club's all-time leader in matches played and minutes played. A 2012 and 2013 MLS Best XI selection, Zusi has helped lead Sporting to one MLS Cup (2013), and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (2012, 2015, 2017) in his career. This is his first selection to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi in 2022 after appearing on the squad once a season ago.
Team of the Week (3-4-3, left to right): Carlos Coronel (RBNY) – Jon Gallagher (ATX), Jackson Ragen (SEA), Graham Zusi (SKC) – Talles Magno (NYC), Luquinhas (RBNY), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN), Jefferson Savarino (RSL) – Gustavo Bou (NE), Josef Martinez (ATL), Raul Ruidiaz (SEA)
Brad Stuver (ATX), Marcelo Silva (RSL), Aidan Morris (CLB), Andres Cubas (VAN), Fabian Herbers (CHI), Dejan Joveljic (LA), Ercan Kara (ORL)
Sporting Kansas City and Zusi will host Union Omaha at Children's Mercy Park in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com and the match can be streamed with an ESPN+ subscription. Following the midweek match, Sporting will continue the 2022 MLS regular season campaign with a road match against the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT. For a third MLS match in a row, Sporting will be on national TV with ABC carrying the broadcast for the match.
