Sporting KC: Graham Zusi Could Make His Return Saturday
Sporting KC winger Graham Zusi is expected to make his return to match action on Saturday against the Seattle Sounders. Zusi has been out of action for the past three months for offseason rehab.
More from KC Kingdom
- Win $650 GUARANTEED Plus $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket With Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
- This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
- How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
- The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
- The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
Zusi’s rehab has consisted of working in the swimming pool, and other low stress workouts with the athletic trainer to keep his fitness. Zusi has not only missed the entire preseason for Sporting KC up to this point, but he has missed the last two United States Men’s National Team training camps.
"“I actually think I might get some minutes on Saturday,” Zusi told Richard Fleming during Wednesday night’s Desert Diamond Cup broadcast. “Like Chance [Myers], I’m getting that base fitness back up. It’s been so exciting to get back on the field with the guys the last couple of days.”-Courtesy of Johnathan Kaplan of SportingKC.com"
Zusi has had a great career with Sporting KC, and looks to continue to build on the 2014 season where Zusi was named as the Sporting KC team Co-MVP alongside Forward Dom Dwyer who set the team record for goals scored in a season with 22.
Zusi also made a big impact for the USMNT after featuring in all for games in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Couple observations from @SportingKC training today: 1) good to see @gzusi out there with the team. He tells me he expects to play tomorrow.
— Nate Bukaty (@nate_bukaty) February 20, 2015
Zusi is only expected to play about 15 to 30 minutes of live action in the game, but it will be nice to see him back on the field.
In Graham Zusi’s absence Sporting KC has saw the emergence of new signing Krisztian Nemeth. Nemeth has been featured in all three of Sporting KC’s preseason games so far and has made a major impact.
More from Sporting Kansas City
- Sporting KC vs Austin FC Odds, Prediction and Pick (Two High-Powered Attacks Square Off)
- Sporting KC vs Real Salt Lake Odds, Prediction and Pick (Fireworks in Store Between Explosive Offenses)
- Sporting KC vs Houston Dynamo Odds, Prediction and Pick (Expect Tightly-Contested Match)
- KC Current Aim for Second Straight Upset Win Tonight vs. Racing Louisville
- Felipe Gutiérrez Rejoins Sporting KC as Club Welcomes Back 2019 Team MVP
In Sporting KC’s second preseason game against FC Tucson, Nemeth broke out in a big way with three goals and an assist in a 4-2 victory. Nemeth scored in his second consecutive game when Sporting KC took on the Colorado Rapids, as Nemeth calmly put away a penalty.
It will be interesting to see if Zusi and Nemeth see the field at the same time to see how well they play off of each other. Nemeth may be playing his way into the starting eleven for Sporting KC.
Zusi should continue to have his work load increased as Sporting KC progress through their preseason and inch closer to the start of the regular season (as long as the season isn’t postponed due to a player strike because the players and league can’t agree to terms on a new CBA).
Sporting KC have games against the Seattle Sounders on 02/21, Real Salt Lake on 02/25, and Minnesota United (To Be Announced) to wrap up their preseason.
Sporting KC are currently scheduled to begin their season on March 8th against the New York Red Bulls. They will hope that Zusi is fully fit as they begin their first full season in the Western Conference after the conference rearrangement due to Orlando City FC and New York City FC joining MLS.