A midfielder who led two Los Angeles clubs to national honors in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and was the leading goalscorer of the U.S. national team during that period.
With Zerhusen as their star, the Los Angeles Kickers reached the final of the U.S. Open Cup three times. They won the title in 1958, beating Baltimore Pompei, and in 1964, beating Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. In 1960, they were runnerup to the Ukrainian Nationals, losing a 5-3, double-overtime final. In addition, Zerhusen was with the Los Angeles Scots when they lost to the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in the 1961 final.
Zerhusen’s career peaked at a time when the United States was not playing very many games, but he did play nine full internationals for the United States, as well as starring in the U.S. team that won the bronze medal at the 1959 Pan-American Games in Chicago. Zerhusen scored 10 goals in six games at those Pan-Am Games. He also played, and scored a goal, for the United States in the 1956 Olympic Games in Australia.
Zerhusen’s first full international appearance was in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in 1957. His last was in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras in 1965. He represented the United States in the qualifying rounds of the 1958, 1962 and 1966 World Cups.
Zerhusen was a longtime star of the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League, leading that lead in scoring 13 times and serving as captain of the Los Angles Kickers for 10 years.
Inducted in 1978.
