Juice Boxes and Post Game Stats: Zusi Becomes All Time Appearance Leader

It was poetic that Sporting Kansas City played Austin FC on Sunday night at Children’s Mercy Park with club legend, Matt Besler suiting up for the first time against the club he made 294 league appearances for over 12 seasons with the club. Because with Graham Zusi returning to the starting line up for the first time since October, Zusi moved ahead of his former roommate and teammate and became Sporting’s all time leader in league appearances on Sunday. Here are the stats from not only Sunday’s Sporting KC game but Friday’s Sporting KC II game as well.

Sporting KC

Graham Zusi made his 295th league appearance for KC, breaking his tie with Matt Besler for the most all time.

In the 6th minute, Zusi hit 25,000 minute mark in MLS competitions for KC. He’s the 2nd player to hit that mark.

At 34 years, 264 days Zusi became the 11th oldest player to appear in or start a league game for KC. He also became the 11th oldest player to appear in or start a game in all competitions for KC.

Gadi Kinda’s goal was the 360th by KC in all competitions at Children’s Mercy Park, the same number of goals KC scored in all competitions at Arrowhead.

Johnny Russell made his 100th appearance in all competitions for KC, he’s the 46th player to reach that mark.

Russell’s assist was his 27th in MLS competitions, tying him with Josh Wolff for 8th all time on that list.

It was Russell’s 32nd assist in all competitions, breaking his tie with Mo Johnston for 7th all time on that list.

Roger Espinoza made his 248th start in MLS competitions, breaking his tie with Nick Garcia for 4th all time on that list.

In the 35th minute, Daniel Salloi passed Kevin Ellis and became KC’s leader in league minutes played for Homegrown Players. He finished the game with 5,440 minutes played.

Khiry Shelton made his 50th appearance in MLS competitions, he’s the 74th player to reach that mark.

Sporting KC II

Christian Duke made his 84th appearance in all competitions, tying him with Amer Didic for 2nd all time on that list.

In the 65th minute, Graham Smith passed Kharlton Belmar and moved into 7th place for league minutes played for SKC II. He finished the game with 3,903 minutes played.

Smith made his 46th appearance in all competitions, breaking his tie with Oumar Ballo for 13th all time on that list.

Smith made his 43rd league start, tying him with Tyler Pasher for 7th all time on that list.

At 27 years, 333 days, Amadou Dia moved up to 12th on the list of oldest players to appear in or start a game in both league play and in all competitions for SKC II.

At 17 years, 207 days, Michael Lenis became the 16th youngest player to appear in a game for SKC II in league play or in all competitions.

At 27 years, 103 days, Kendall McIntosh became the 16th oldest player to appear or start a game in both league play and in all competitions for SKC II.

Tyler Freeman scored his 4th goal in league paly, tying him with Wan Kuzain for 17th all time on that list.

It was Freeman’s 4th goal in all competitions as well, tying him with Didic for 18th all time on that list.