Sporting KC MLS Cup 2013: Where are they now?

CB – Matt Besler – Sporting KC

The second centre-half the day Sporting Kansas City lifted the MLS Cup for the second time in their history was Matt Besler. The left-footer, who can also play at full-back if required, played 28 times for the side on their run to the title, including all 510 minutes of playoff action. Besler was one of the nominated takers in the penalty shootout in the final.

Besler has played his entire professional career in Kansas City, after being drafted by the club, formerly known as the Wizards. The eighth overall MLS SuperDraft pick in 2009 has gone on to have a long and fruitful career with the team, including going through their rebranding to becoming Sporting Kansas City.

Besler had opportunities to move to England in 2012 but turned them all down to stick with the KC side, and it paid off, as he went on to lift the U.S. Open Cup that year. He then made his international debut a year later and has since gone on to make over 40 appearances for the USMNT. The centre-half has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup on two occasions, in 2013 and 2017.

2013 also saw SKC win the MLS Cup, with Besler being a key part of the team’s backline throughout. Since then, he has helped the team to win two more U.S. Open Cups (2015 and 2017) and has gone on to break all of the club’s records for the most appearances and most minutes played in their MLS history.