A resounding 6-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday saw Sporting Kansas City set single-game team records in goals, margin of victory, shots, shots on target and possession.
The match proved to be a routine exercise for Sporting KC's backline, but it didn't stop captain and center back Matt Besler from making club history of his own — history that spanned much longer than the course of 90 dominant minutes.
The 31-year-old Kansas City native climbed to the summit of two regular season statistical categories on Friday, tying current assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin for most starts all-time and passing him for minutes played.
MOST STARTS FOR SPORTING KC
(MLS REGULAR SEASON, ALL-TIME)
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Starts</strong> |
<strong>Years in KC</strong> |
Matt Besler<br>
Kerry Zavagnin |
228 |
2009-present<br>
2000-2008 |
Nick Garcia |
224 |
2000-2007 |
Davy Arnaud |
213 |
2002-2011 |
Jimmy Conrad |
203 |
2003-2010 |
Preki |
199 |
1996-2000;<br>
2002-2005 |
Graham Zusi |
186 |
2009-present |
Chris Klein |
183 |
1998-2005 |
Roger Espinoza |
178 |
2008-2012;<br>
2015-present |
Seth Sinovic |
163 |
2011-present |
MOST MINUTES PLAYED FOR SPORTING KC
(MLS REGULAR SEASON, ALL-TIME)
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Minutes</strong> |
<strong>Years in KC</strong> |
Matt Besler |
20,551 |
2009-present |
Kerry Zavagnin |
20,515 |
2000-2008 |
Nick Garcia |
20,157 |
2000-2007 |
Davy Arnaud |
19,399 |
2002-2011 |
Jimmy Conrad |
18,194 |
2003-2010 |
Preki |
17,817 |
1996-2000;<br>
2002-2005 |
Graham Zusi |
17,160 |
2009-present |
Chris Klein |
16,380 |
1998-2005 |
Roger Espinoza |
15,795 |
2008-2012;<br>
2015-present |
Seth Sinovic |
14,401 |
2011-present |
Besler's next major milestone will come with his 240th regular season appearance, which will tie him with Davy Arnaud for the most in Kansas City history. Should Besler play every game for Sporting KC between now and then, the record-tying appearance would come when the side faces Minnesota United FC on June 3 at Children's Mercy Park.
MOST GAMES PLAYED FOR SPORTING KC
(MLS REGULAR SEASON, ALL-TIME)
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Games</strong> |
<strong>Years in KC</strong> |
Davy Arnaud |
240 |
2002-2011 |
Kerry Zavagnin |
237 |
2000-2008 |
Matt Besler |
234 |
2009-present |
Graham Zusi |
226 |
2009-present |
Nick Garcia |
224 |
2000-2007 |
Preki |
218 |
1996-2000;<br>
2002-2005 |
Jimmy Conrad |
204 |
2003-2010 |
Chris Klein |
200 |
1998-2005 |
Roger Espinoza |
198 |
2008-2012;<br>
2015-present |
Jack Jewsbury |
195 |
2003-2010 |
