For many players, a year with seven combined goals and assists, an MLS All-Star nod and an Open Cup trophy lifted would be considered a successful year. But when you are Graham Zusi, the standards are higher.
After four straight seasons of at least five goals and seven assists, Zusi’s numbers dropped in 2015 to two goals and five assists. The 29-year-old winger was in and out of Sporting KC’s lineup due to national team duty and a series of injuries and started only 22 games, his fewest since his sophomore campaign in 2010.
“[Graham] would say this as well that last year was not one of his best years,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes told media on Thursday at Swope Soccer Village. “But he’ll never say this, and I will say this for him, there’s no doubt that part of his form had to do with some real knocks that he was dealing with for a period of time last year.”
Zusi entered the year with a lingering foot injury that he suffered toward the end of 2014. He then missed two games in April with a hamstring strain and another in May after suffering a concussion. Throw in a calf strain that forced him out for two MLS matches in August, and 2015 was a frustrating year for a player who averaged 30 games played and almost 2,500 minutes played from 2011-2013.
It’s no coincidence that Sporting KC’s best years have come when the four-time MLS All-Star has been at his best. In 2012, Zusi was an MLS MVP finalist after finishing the year with a combined 20 goals and assists as Sporting KC finished the year as regular season Eastern Conference champions. The following year, Zusi finished with six goals and eight assists as Sporting KC finished second in the Supporters’ Shield race and won MLS Cup.
“I think Graham is the heart and soul of our team,” Vermes said. “He is an important aspect of who we are. I think that what most people don’t realize is that a lot of last year he played with a couple injuries that he couldn’t shake, but constantly was out there playing. I was the same way and so I can appreciate it and understand the mentality.
“I want guys like that on my team and I love the fact that he thinks that way," Vermes added. "Never was there a time when he was in jeopardy of getting worse in what his problems were. But you ask me about this upcoming year and I think he’s going to have a real impact in this season.”
