Exclusive Interview: Graham Zusi Reveals His Career of Dedication and Values at Sporting Kansas City

MLS Multiplex had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with one of the icons of Sporting Kansas City, Graham Zusi. During the conversation, the player shared his experiences, values, and insights into the career that has made him such a respected figure in the world of soccer.

Graham Zusi shared his journey of development at Sporting Kansas City, describing it as a constant learning curve and experience. He emphasized the importance of the early years when he was focused on learning the dynamics of the league, the style of play, and the speed of the game, transitioning from college level to the professional level. During this period, he strove to absorb knowledge from more experienced players. As time passed, Zusi felt that the pieces began to fall into place, resulting in success, consistency, and trophy achievements. His ability to adapt to different positions on the field was also mentioned as part of his continuous learning and evolution. This experience of constant learning and adaptation demonstrates Zusi’s commitment to his career and his desire to maintain a high level of performance over the years.

“I think the way I would describe my journey here in Kansas City would be like a constant learning curve and experience. You know, my early years here were me trying to learn the league, the style of play, the speed of the game, and the differences between where I was at the college level and the professional level. I really took those early years to absorb as much as I could from the older, more experienced players. And I think after a few years, it was when everything started to click, so to speak. And I found myself more on the field. Having success and consistency and winning games, trophies, and trying to do that at a very consistent level. And as my career and my time in Kansas City progressed, I found myself in different places on the field. So… more about learning and adapting to where I was at that moment. For me, I really enjoyed that learning experience and finding different ways to stay on the field,” said Graham Zusi in an exclusive interview with MLS Multiplex.

Zusi also emphasizes his role as a committed team player and his contribution to the club’s goals. He highlights his dedication to winning trophies in an attractive and exciting way for the fans. Zusi sees himself as a consummate professional who seeks consistency in his performance, always putting the team first and working hard to achieve success. He reinforces the importance that no individual is greater than the club they play for, demonstrating his deep respect for the team and the philosophy of collective work. This team-oriented and humble mindset is one of Zusi’s defining traits throughout his career, making him a respected player both on and off the field.

“Well, I’d like to think that I’ve been very much a team player and done what was necessary for the club and for the good of the team and ultimately to achieve our goals of winning trophies. And it’s winning and doing it in an attractive and fun way to watch. So… I think I’ve helped in that sense by being, I think, that consummate professional and being consistent for the club, doing it in a way where I put the team first and working hard while doing that. So, yeah, no individual is greater than the club they play for. So, I really took that to heart throughout my career.”

During the interview, Graham shares a pivotal moment in his career that he considers a turning point. He highlights a game in 2011 against Dallas as a significant event that marked his rise to a starting position. Zusi remembers that while from an external perspective, this game may seem like a milestone in his career, personally, the journey was marked by hard work and dedication to reaching that position. He mentions that the game during the stadium opening in 2011 was particularly memorable, where he had an impressive performance, earned the opportunity to start the next game, and scored two goals. This experience solidified his position as a regular starter and is seen by Zusi as the moment his career took off. His inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and growth is a testament to his determination to achieve success in professional soccer.

“I think there are some games that just seem to change the game. If you’re looking from the outside, of course, you can point to that game against Dallas in 2011. You could almost consider that as a moment when I grew and became a starter. But, you know, from my perspective, it can be quite different because of all the work I put in to get to that position. But yeah, the stadium opening where I started that game in 2011, it was a moment where I played well, got the opportunity to start the next game, scored two goals, and almost never looked back in terms of being a regular starter. You could easily pick that moment as when it all began.”

Zusi also expresses his deep gratitude and appreciation for the fans who supported him throughout his career. He shares how his relationship with the fans began during his college years when he played for the University of Maryland and how this connection strengthened over the years. Zusi highlights the importance of fan support in fueling his energy on the field and how the passion and dedication of the fans have been a constant source of motivation for him. His sincere description of the mutual relationship between player and fans demonstrates the significance of the connection between the team and its supporters, which plays a vital role in athletes’ success and motivation. It is a testament to the lasting and positive influence that fans have in the world of sports.

“You know, I’ve always had a huge appreciation for the support that fans give, in general. I think for me, it started in my college years. The University of Maryland had an incredible fan base for the soccer program. We had a similar fan section called the ‘crew’ at Maryland that reminds me a lot of the ‘cauldron’ here in Kansas City. My relationship with the fans started even before I was here in Kansas City. And I just developed a great appreciation for what they can do in terms of driving you on the field, and their energy feeds your energy, and vice versa. So, I always felt like I was playing for them. And when I got to Kansas City, it wasn’t any different. The ‘cauldron’ was always there supporting and driving you on whenever I could, you know, if I scored a goal. I loved jumping over the boards and celebrating with them. It was just this kind of mutual appreciation that I felt was growing and growing over the years. I always find myself, when I think while playing, doing it for them. That’s been my motivation as long as I can remember. And I feel like, as I mentioned before, there’s this mutual appreciation where I feel they can see that I give it my all in every game, and they do the same. So, it’s a great relationship. A bit in that sense, fans often talk about their passion and dedication on the field.”

He shares his deep connection with the energy and support of the fans during games. Graham describes how the buzz and atmosphere even before a game starts fill him with energy and adrenaline. Zusi believes that this fan energy is a reliable source of motivation, allowing him to overcome tough moments during matches when his legs are tired, and he may feel like he can’t go on. The ability to look to the stands or draw inspiration from the fans’ passion helps him overcome these physical and mental challenges. Zusi emphasizes that this motivation from the fans is constant, regardless of the weather conditions or the state of his body. This highlights the importance of fans as essential drivers of athletes’ performance and how the relationship between player and fans can be truly inspiring.

“I think we touched on this a bit, but it seems to be, you know, when I step onto the field, and there’s already that buzz and atmosphere before the game even starts. It fills me with energy and adrenaline. For me, it seems obvious. It’s very easy to overcome the tough moments on the field, the moments when your legs are tired and heavy. You feel like maybe you can’t go on. All you need to do is look at the stands or draw inspiration from their energy. It leads you to overcome, to overcome those tough moments and that difficulty. Yeah, it has always been something I could count on, whether it’s 100 degrees or 10 degrees, whether my body is feeling it, the motivation comes a lot from them.”

During the interview, Zusi spoke about the importance of Sporting Kansas City’s core values in his career. He praises the club for creating a system of core values that, when followed, lead to success. Zusi expresses his fortune in having these values instilled in his life from an early age and how the club elevated these principles to a higher level. He shares his deep belief in these values and highlights his commitment to living them daily, whether during training or games. For Zusi, consistency in embodying these values is essential for achieving success, and he emphasizes that this must be a collective effort. This vision underscores the importance of a club’s principles and culture in shaping players and in achieving significant goals and accomplishments.

“The great thing about this club is that they’ve created a system of core values in which, if you follow these things as a player and live them, you’re destined for success. So… I feel like a lot of these values were instilled in me from early on in my life. So, I feel fortunate to have brought them to the club, but this club took these values to a whole different level as well. So… I really believe in these values and have been doing my best to live them every day. Whether it’s in training or in a game, it doesn’t matter. You need to live these things all the time. And, as I said, if you’re able to do that as a group, you’re destined for success.”

Zusi reflects on his journey from his early years at the club when he was younger. He highlights the positive influence of veteran players and team leaders who were instrumental in his development. Zusi expresses his gratitude for these teammates who, even in the face of internal competition, did not hesitate to support and guide him. This generosity and team spirit left a profound mark on Zusi, and he is committed to giving back to the next generation of players in the best way possible. He sees this mission as a way to leave the club in an even better state than when he joined it, demonstrating his deep affection for Sporting Kansas City and his dedication to contributing to the team’s ongoing success. It is a testament to Zusi’s commitment to the club that shaped him as a player and leader.

“Yeah, well, I look back to my early years at the club when I was younger, I should say. And there were those veteran players on the team who were great leaders. As I mentioned earlier in this interview, I learned a lot from them and looked up to players who I felt were… great professionals and successful. And these guys, they didn’t need to, but they were very helpful in my development as well. They didn’t need to take me under their wing or help me in tough situations. They could easily see me as a young guy trying to take their place. And they didn’t do that, which I greatly appreciated. So, I feel very obligated to do the same and try to bring the next generation forward in the best way possible. I’ve always said that I want to try to leave this club in at least a better place than when I joined, if not try to leave it in a better situation because I care a lot about this club, and it’s been very beneficial to me, and I hope I’ve been able to give back in some way to what it’s given me. For me, a great way to do that is to bring the next generation of players forward.”

Zusi also shares valuable advice based on his own development journey. He emphasizes the importance of never being satisfied, even when you are successful. Zusi highlights that the constant motivation to become a better player should be an internal force, a drive that comes from within. He emphasizes the need to constantly push boundaries and seek new challenges, both on and off the field. Zusi believes that regardless of resources or the team around you, intrinsic motivation is the key to success. His approach to being a “sponge” as a player and learning from the examples of success of others demonstrates his mindset of continuous growth, which has helped him achieve a high level of performance and stand out in the sport. This inspiring advice can serve as a valuable lesson for aspiring athletes and individuals seeking success in any area of life.

“I think really my best advice is what I know. And what I know is how my development journey happened and being a sponge as a player and never, never feeling like I had really ‘made it.’ You know, I was never satisfied with where I was, even if I was successful. That was never enough for me. So, there was a constant motivation to be a better player. And I took that into my off-seasons. My off-season program is about pushing myself to new limits every year. So, just that constant motivation to be a better player, be a better teammate, be more successful on and off the field. That motivation has to come from within. You can have the best team in the world, the best resources in the world, but in the end, the motivation has to come from yourself. That’s something I learned very early on, for which I’m extremely grateful. And I’ve seen some very successful people with the same attitude. And I’ve taken a lot of what I’ve learned from them and carried it forward.”

In his exclusive interview with MLS Multiplex, Graham Zusi personifies the dedication, values, and unwavering motivation that have shaped his exemplary career. His inspiring story highlights the importance of passion for the sport and the constant pursuit of excellence, serving as a beacon for the next generation of players. Zusi is not just an icon of Sporting Kansas City but also a remarkable example of how commitment can lead to success in soccer and in life.