Sporting Kansas City center back Matt Besler is turning a corner.
The defender has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in a home match against Orlando City SC on Sept. 23. After two weeks of rehab, the 12th-year defender is on the cusp of a return to training.
āIām feeling much better,ā Besler told Sports Radio 810 WHB during his appearance on The Border Patrol this morning. āIn my experience, Iāve had a few of these over the years and this is the real turning pointāanywhere from around 10 to 17 days. Iām kind of right in the middle of really turning the corner and feeling much better and much stronger. Iāve been able to push it a little more this week. Tomorrow Iāll hopefully be able to get back on the field, start practicing and get involved.ā
This particular strain, Besler said, was caused by a deep contusion in his leg. The native Kansan has experienced multiple hamstring strains in the past and believes heās well on his way to a full recovery.
āThe biggest issue has been getting all of the swelling out,ā Besler said. āAfter the first 10 days of getting all of that fluid out of the hamstrings, we were focused on getting the strength back. Once we did that, I started recovering a lot quicker.
āDry needling is a big technique that the medical team has used. Itās an active form of acupuncture that targets the muscles. The glute activations have also been really (important) because those are the most important protectors of your hamstrings. The medical staff here at Sporting takes care of everyone and they do a great job.ā
Sporting is in the midst of a historically busy stretch that packs nine regular season fixtures in a 30-day period. With games coming thick and fast, Besler said the health of the squad will be of utmost importance between now and Decision Day on Nov. 8.
āI get the feeling already that something like this has never been done before,ā Besler said of the fixture congestion. āI know thereās going to be lots of games, but letās just embrace it as a team. The camaraderie of coming together as a teamāsometimes when things are rolling and youāre playing one game per week, sometimes youāve almost got a separation between starters and reserves. Thatās inevitable on every team and thereās no getting around it, but in this case youāre forced to integrate everybody.
āWe all have to be ready. Itās something weāve never experienced before, but we have a really good group to do it. Weāve always been close and everyone so far this season has gotten some really good experience, even if itās just a game or two here or there. Hopefully we can use this to our advantage.ā