Sporting Kansas City selected center back Graham Smith with the 18th overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. He officially signed for the club in February 2018.
2020: MLS regular season: Started four matches and contributed to one clean sheet (315 minutes played). Made his season debut with a start in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on July 22. MLS is Back Tournament: Started three matches and contributed to two clean sheets (270 minutes played). MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature.
2019: MLS regular season: Started 10 of 11 appearances, recording one goal and one assist while contributing to two shutouts (882 minutes played). Made his season debut for Sporting in a loss to Atlanta United FC on May 5. Opened his professional scoring account with the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 17. Assisted Johnny Russell's goal in a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 31. Concacaf Champions League: Did not feature. Open Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in a Fourth Round loss to Minnesota.
2018 MLS regular season: Started two matches (180 minutes played). Made his MLS debut with a start in an epic 3-2 comeback victory over the Houston Dynamo on June 23. Open Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-2 quarterfinal loss at the Houston Dynamo on July 18. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature. Swope Park Rangers: Started 26 of 27 USL appearances on loan.
COLLEGE
Smith split his four-year college career between Oregon State University (2014-15) and the University of Denver (2016-17). The versatile defender started all 80 appearances at the NCAA Division I level, registering six goals and seven assists in his final two seasons with the Denver Pioneers.
A native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Smith was teammates with former Sporting KC forward Khiry Shelton during his freshman campaign at Oregon State. He assisted three goals in 38 matches for the Beavers, helping the side reach the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
Upon transferring to Denver in 2016, Smith helped the Pioneers reach the Men’s College Cup for the first time in program history. He split time between the holding midfield and center back positions, serving as the anchor of a defense that notched a 0.52 goals against average in 2016 and a 0.71 goals against average in 2017. As a senior, Smith was a United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team selection and a CoSIDA Academic All-American.
