Steve Zakuani - Career - Professional

Professional

Zakuani was selected by Seattle Sounders FC as the number one pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on a Generation Adidas contract. He had turned down other contract offers to sign with Major League Soccer since the Generation Adidas program would allow for him to return to school to finish his education. Zakuani was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2009 after leading all MLS rookies in scoring with four goals and four assists. On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history (Chicago was first) to win the U.S. Open Cup tournament in their first season. Zakuani was a starter in the championship match.

In his second professional season, he scored ten goals in the regular season to tie for the team lead with Fredy Montero. He was named MLS Player of the Week twice, and also won Goal of the Week twice. He also recorded the fastest goal in Sounders history with his fourth minute tally against the Columbus Crew in a 1–1 draw at Qwest Field. It bettered the previous mark set by Zakuani the season before when he scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United. On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the 2010 U.S. Open Cup final, becoming the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions. Zakuani was again in the starting lineup for Sounders FC in the final. On November 7, 2010, Zakuani scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Sounders' management has encouraged its players to train with teams overseas. During a visit to England after the 2010 season, Zakuani trained with Everton to stay match fit. He received his green card before the 2011 season. This granted him permanent resident status in the US and exempted him from occupying one of the MLS limited international player slot on the club’s roster.

Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the 2011 season. On April 22, 2011, three minutes into a game against the Colorado Rapids, Zakuani suffered a broken leg from a challenge by Brian Mullan, fracturing his tibia and fibula. He underwent successful surgery later that same day, and missed the remainder of the 2011 season. In April 2012, he made an appearance in a reserve match against Gonzaga University and played 45 minutes. On July 7, 2012, against the Colorado Rapids, Steve Zakuani made his first MLS appearance in 15 months and played with 5 minutes left of the game. Zakuani furthered his recovery by assisting on a goal for Mauro Rosales during a 1–1 draw at FC Dallas in early September. On September 22, 2012, Zakuani equalized the score against the San Jose Earthquakes at 1–1 by scoring his first goal in 17 months, but the match ended in a 2–1 loss to the Sounders. Zakuani finished the 2012 MLS season with 1 goal in 320 minutes over 8 matches and playing in 3 playoff games.

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