Maryland Soccer Alum Graham Zusi Assists Winning Goal in U.S. World Cup Opener (VIDEO)

Graham Zusi is not a starter but he is a key player for the U.S. Men’s National Team in this years World Cup.

In a game that was dubbed the “Redemption Match”, the United States new what was at stake in their World Cup opener.

Ghana had knocked the U.S. out of the past two World Cups and everybody on this years team was ready to redeem themselves. U.S. captain and goal scorer Clint Dempsey got the game going in the first minute with some beautiful ball handling which led to the quickest U.S. goal in World Cup history.

The quick score helped keep Ghana at bay for the first half. But, in the second half Ghana came back with vengeance.

The team from Africa was able to control the ball 60% of the time while firing off 21 shots compared to 8 by the United States.

During the onslaught, Ghana eventually managed to shoot one by U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard and tie the game in the 82nd minute.

After the equalizer, substitute and former Terrapin Graham Zusi stepped up to take one of the United States three corner kicks all game.

Zusi curved the ball into the box perfectly where it found the forehead of John Brooks Jr. who is now known as Johnny Fútbol. Brooks finished off the perfect corner kick by heading it down and away, and past the Ghana goalkeeper for what ended up being the game winning goal to give the U.S. three points in match play.

Watch the game winning play below as caught by U.S. fan randy_j_kim inside the stadium.