(USA TODAY Sports)

Graham Zusi is talking to two reporters in a conference room inside a New York Marriott. He starts to answer a question about the team’s preparation that week when a U.S. soccer employee interrupts him.

“Graham, you need to move,” the employee says, lightly touching the midfielder’s shoulder. “Tim Howard is coming in and we need to make room, and you’re going to be overrun.”

Zusi shrugs and shuffles into the corner of the room as Howard – the most popular and highest profile member of the team by far – slides into the space vacated by the 27-year-old from Florida. Dozens of reporters clamor for Howard, including one of the two with Zusi.

“So what were we talking about?” Zusi asks me, unfazed by the interruption. “Oh yeah, preparation. We’re in a good place I think.”

(USA TODAY Sports)

Greatness is quite often defined by the things you do when no one is watching. Stuck in a corner like a potted plant, it’s abundantly clear Graham Zusi is on the cusp of greatness, even if everyone is currently paying attention to Tim Howard.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has repeatedly bemoaned the traditional path of American soccer players. It’s a path that sends them to college after high school, playing four years in an environment that isn’t always conducive to creating professional, never mind World Cup-caliber, players.

Zusi played four years at the University of Maryland – winning an NCAA championship in 2008 with the Terps. He was drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLS Draft by Sporting Kansas City. In his first two years with Sporting KC, Zusi started nine matches in 64 games.

In 2011 and 2012, Zusi appeared in every single match and in 2013 he led Sporting to an MLS Cup. In 2014, he’s starting for the U.S., and will be vital to the team’s chances of escaping the Group of Death.

(USA TODAY Sports)

“He is the hardest working guy in training every day,” Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said. “With that persistence, that work ethic, you just knew it was going to come together eventually.

“You can only keep someone like that down for so long when they have so much to give, and that guy gets better every day.”

Zusi’s rise was not gradual. When Vermes finally called his number, he rocketed to prominence. When Klinsmann gave him his first opportunity with the national team in the winter of 2012, Zusi shone once more.

“A big part of it is confidence,” Zusi said. “Each time I’m with the national team, I want to get better, each time I get more comfortable and more familiar with the players. Over time, it just adds up.”

(USA TODAY Sports)

There is no question that Zusi has built a career most players would envy in just a few short years. A strong performance in Brazil would likely draw attention from Europe, which would elevate Zusi’s stock to even greater heights. But Zusi barely flinches when we discuss the possibility. He lets out a small laugh at the notion he’s on the cusp of super-stardom.

“There will be plenty of times later in life to look back on what I’ve achieved but not now.” Zusi said. “I don’t really allow myself to say ‘I’ve done it.’ I guess I’m the kind of person who is never satisfied with where I am – I constantly want to get better.”