Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain trained with the Malaysia U-22 Men’s National Team this week, participating in a 32-player camp ahead of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
Born to Malaysian parents in Carbondale, Illinois, Kuzain has joined Malaysia at the international level for the first time after previously training with the United States U-17 Men's National Team in 2013 and 2014.
Kuzain, 21, was not eligible to compete in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games because of citizenship documentation reasons, but his first experience with Malaysia sets the stage for potential national team endeavors with the Malayan Tigers in the future.
Usually deployed as a holding midfielder, Kuzain became the first Sporting Kansas City Homegrown signing to progress from the Sporting KC Academy to the Swope Park Rangers to the senior team when he inked an MLS contract in April 2018. He has logged eight career appearances for Sporting and became the third-youngest goal scorer in club history when he found the back of the net in a 4-1 win over Minnesota United FC on June 3, 2018 at Children's Mercy Park.
Kuzain joined the Sporting KC Academy in August 2016, moving to Kansas City at age 17 after spending several years with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. He signed his first professional contract with SPR in July 2017 and has started 53 of 60 USL Championship appearances over the last three seasons, notching five goals and two assists.
Kuzain's breakout 2018 campaign included minutes with Sporting and a pivotal role for the Rangers, where he was named a USL Young Player of the Year finalist and secured USL Fans' Choice Goal of the Year honors for his brilliant free kick in a win over Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Children's Mercy Park.
