Sporting Kansas City brings back long-time fan favorites Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza

Sporting KC has re-signed veteran fan favorites Roger Espinoza and Graham Zusi for the 2022 season, preparation for which begins Monday when the team convenes preseason camp in Arizona.

Espinoza signed a one-year contract, while Zusi signed a one-year deal with an option for 2023.

For both, it was their first chance at true free agency. Zusi said he fielded offers but he never really considered going elsewhere.

“Even with the other offers it would’ve had to have been outrageous for me to even consider it,” Zusi said. “My intentions were to try my hardest to stay here in Kansas City, and the club — even toward the end of last year — made those intentions clear with me, as well.”

For Roger, the offseason experience has been a little different.

“I was on vacation around the world, so my phone was off,” he said with a smile. “I don’t know if I got any offers.

“I was just worried about Kansas City. I’m very, very happy to be back here in Kansas City. It’s the only place that I wanted to be.”

Espinoza ranks third in Sporting KC history for appearances (335), starts (295) and minutes played (26,143). He has scored 12 goals and ranks fifth all-time on the club with 43 assists.

He’s also married to Lo’eau LaBonta, who plays with the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Zusi, meanwhile, leads the club in appearances and is second all-time for assists with 87. Zusi and Espinoza have played key roles in attaining four major trophies won by Sporting KC, including the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups in 2012, 2015 and 2017 and the 2013 MLS Cup.

Both men also boast prolific resumes at the International level.

Zusi has 55 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, posting five goals and seven assists while representing the stars and stripes at the 2014 World Cup. Espinoza has made 52 appearances with Honduras, for whom he played in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

With all the experience they have and their wisdom of years (both are 35), Vermes still sees them as valuable pieces for 2022.

“This isn’t some ceremonial deal,” Vermes said. “They have a lot to offer. Both players last year played very well and added a tremendous amount on the field.”

In addition to what they can bring on the field, Vermes lauded the role that they have played in club history, and how valuable all that knowledge and experience with a team can be.

“Those guys have written their own history. They’ve made their mark,” Vermes said. “They’re legends. They’re legends both as players, but also as people.

“They’re fantastic guys. It’s a pleasure to be around them every day. Just having them around makes our club and our team better.”

Vermes said there will be additional player acquisition announcements in coming days as the team fills out its roster.

One addition might be the return of midfielder Felipe Hernandez. He was suspended indefinitely in October for having bet on MLS matches. He voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program for gambling addiction and was eligible to apply for reinstatement as of Jan. 1.

Vermes confirmed Thursday that Hernandez has applied for reinstatement, and both Hernandez and the club are awaiting a ruling from Major League Soccer.

Sporting KC is slated to ramp up preparations for the 2022 season on Monday. The team will spend five weeks in Arizona before returning to Kansas City ahead of its season-opening match at Atlanta United FC on Feb. 27.

Sporting’s home opener is March 5 against the Houston Dynamo at Children’s Mercy Park.

This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Sporting Kansas City brings back long-time fan favorites Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza."