Friday night, Sporting KC defender Matt Besler was honored by the Kansas City Sports Commission as the Kansas City Downtown Marriott Sportsman of the Year at an awards banquet at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.
2013 was a standout year for Besler. The Overland Park native made his debut for the U.S. Men's National Team in January, went on to help the USMNT win the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and led Sporting KC to their first MLS Cup championship since 2000.
Additional honorees included Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt (Waddell & Reed Executive of the Year), Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Vreeland (Kansas City Life Sportswoman of the Year), Northwest Missouri State Head Football Coach Adam Dorrel (Burns & McDonnell Coach of the Year) and Shawnee Mission West Football Community (Sprint Community Champion).
