Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi was named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster on Sunday for the team's ongoing training camp, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced.
Zusi will arrive at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, his hometown, on Sunday to join the 27-player camp. It marks his second camp under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann after participating in the January Camp and making his international debut in a start against Venezuela on January 21. Four days later, Zusi started again in Panama and scored in the eighth minute on an assist from Sporting Kansas City teammate Teal Bunbury for his first international goal.
"I'm extremely excited to get this opportunity again with the national team," Zusi said. "Any chance you get to represent your country is an honor. I'm just very excited about these five games coming up, including the two World Cup qualifiers."
The U.S. Men's National Team will train in Orlando through Friday, May 25, when Klinsmann will select a final 23-player roster for a series of five upcoming matches. The U.S. will play international friendlies against Scotland (May 26 in Jacksonville, Fla.), Brazil (May 30 in Landover, Md.) and Canada (June 3 in Toronto) to prepare for their first FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Antigua & Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. and Guatemala on June 12 in Guatemala City.
"Graham Zusi left a very strong impression in the January camp," Klinsmann said in a quote sheet released by U.S. Soccer.
A University of Maryland product, Zusi is in his fourth MLS season and was named MLSSoccer.com's Breakout Player of the Year in 2011 with five goals and nine assists in MLS competition.
The 25-year-old signed a new contract with Sporting Kansas City in February and has started all 11 of the club's MLS matches this year. He scored the game-winning goal in Sporting Kansas City's home opener against the New England Revolution and ranks second in MLS with six assists behind reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario.
