Sporting captain Matt Besler has played 12 seasons at his hometown club. He has earned MLS Best XI (2012, 2013), MLS All-Star (2011, 2013-16), MLS Defender of the Year (2012) and MLS Breakout Player of the Year (2012) honors and was named the 2014 KC Sportsman of the Year by the Kansas City Sports Commission.
Besler's 348 appearances, 337 starts and 30,397 minutes played for Sporting in all competitions are the most in club history. A regular staple of the team’s backline, he has started 302 of 311 MLS appearances (including playoffs) and has landed Sporting KC Defender of the Year honors four times (2011-13, 2015). The Kansas City native is also Sporting's all-time leader in regular season appearances, starts and minutes played.
Besler has earned 47 caps for the United States Men’s National Team since debuting in January 2013, recording one goal and one assist. He was on the U.S. roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil alongside teammate Graham Zusi, becoming the first Kansan to play in the World Cup. He started all four matches in the tournament as the U.S. finished Group G runners-up behind eventual champion Germany and advanced to the Round of 16. He helped lead the U.S. to the 2013 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup titles, playing 90 minutes in the finals of both tournaments. He scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifying win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in September 2016.
Besler was named to the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, a prestigious tournament headlined by the U.S., Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. He made his debut in the competition in the quarterfinals on June 16, helping the U.S. to a 2-1 win over Ecuador, and started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the tournament's third place match.
2020: MLS regular season: Started nine of 10 appearances and contributed to two clean sheets (810 minutes played). MLS is Back Tournament: Started two matches (180 minutes played). MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature.
2019: MLS regular season: Started 25 of 27 appearances and contributed to six shutouts (2,115 minutes played). Concacaf Champions League: Started six matches and contributed to three shutouts (540 minutes played). Played the entirety of both shutout wins over Deportivo Toluca FC in the Round of 16 and both matches of a 4-2 aggregate win over Independiente in the Quarterfinals. Open Cup: Did not feature.
2018: MLS regular season: Started 31 matches, recorded three assists contributed to 13 shutouts (2,745 minutes played). Assisted Johnny Russell's hat-trick-sealing goal in a historic 6-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 20, the same match he became Kansas City's all-time regular season leader in starts and minutes played. Started in a 0-0 draw at the Portland Timbers on June 9 to become Sporting KC's all-time leader with 241 regular season appearances. Assisted Diego Rubio's opener in a 3-0 win over Portland on Aug. 18, the same game he tied assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin for most competitive appearances in club history at 291. Assisted Yohan Croizet's excellent equalizer in a 4-1 victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Oct. 17. Became the first player in Sporting KC history to reach 300 competitive appearances and 250 regular season starts in a 3-0 win at FC Dallas on Oct. 21. Open Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 fourth-round win over Real Salt Lake on June 6. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started four matches and contributed to one shutout (360 minutes played). Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 conference semifinal first leg draw at Real Salt Lake on Nov. 4. Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-2 conference semifinal second-leg win over Real Salt Lake on Nov. 11. Started and played 90 minutes in a 0-0 conference championship first-leg draw at Portland on Nov. 25. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 conference championship second-leg loss to Portland on Nov. 29.
2017: MLS regular season: Made 26 starts, contributed to 11 shutouts and recorded a career-high four assists (2339 minutes played). Assisted Latif Blessing's opening goal in a 2-2 draw at Orlando City SC on May 13. Assisted Ike Opara's game-winning goal in a 3-0 victory over Minnesota United FC on June 3. Assisted Ike Opara's bicycle goal in a 2-1 victory against LA Galaxy on June 24. Assisted Cristian Lobato's go-ahead goal in a 1-1 draw at Columbus Crew SC on Sept. 10. Open Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-0 fourth-round win over Minnesota United FC on June 14. Started and played 120 minutes in a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes following a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time on Aug. 9, converting his penalty in the shootout. Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 Open Cup Final victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 20. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 120 minutes in a 1-0 extra-time loss at the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Knockout Round on Oct. 26.
2016: Was named an MLS All-Star for the fifth time in his career. Started 19 of 20 appearances in all competitions, recording one goal and one assist (1726 minutes played). MLS regular season: Started 17 of 18 appearances, recording one goal and one assist, and contributed to five shutouts (1546 minutes played). Made his 200th career MLS appearance (including playoffs) in a 1-1 draw at Vancouver on April 27. Assisted Brad Davis' goal in a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy on May 1. Scored the game-winner in the 91st minute of a 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew SC on July 3, his third career goal for Sporting KC and his first since 2011. Open Cup: Started one match (90 minutes played). Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-1 fifth round loss to the Houston Dynamo on June 29. CONCACAF Champions League: Did not feature. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 knockout round loss at Seattle Sounders FC on Oct. 27.
2015: Led the team with 38 appearances (and starts) across all competitions, recording four assists. He featured in the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 29, marking the fourth All-Star Game appearance of his career (2011, 2013-2015). MLS regular season: Made 32 starts, contributed to 11 clean sheets and recorded three assists (2830 minutes played). Assisted Ike Opara's game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at New York City FC on March 28. Assisted Krisztian Nemeth's 94th-minute game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Philadelphia on April 5. Assisted Graham Zusi's goal in a 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew SC on Aug. 22. Earned MLS Team of the Week honors in Week 31 after leading Sporting KC to the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title on Sept. 30 and anchoring a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Oct. 3. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 120 minutes in Sporting KC's 7-6 penalty kick shootout loss at Portland after a 2-2 draw through regulation. Open Cup: Earned five starts, tallied one assist and played the entirety of every match. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 fourth round win over Saint Louis FC on June 16. Started and played 90 minutes in a 6-2 fifth round win over FC Dallas on July 1. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-1 quarterfinal win over the Houston Dynamo on July 21, assisting Benny Feilhaber's equalizer in the second half. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-1 semifinal win over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 12. Started and played 120 minutes in a championship win over the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 30 as Sporting KC prevailed 7-6 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in regulation. He converted his penalty kick in the shootout. MLS All-Star Game: Started and played 45 minutes in the All-Stars' 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on July 29.
2014: MLS regular season: Appeared in 24 matches, all starts, and contributed to seven shutouts. Was named to MLS Team of the Week (Week 9) after a 2-0 win over Columbus on May 4. Earned MLS Team of the Week honors (Week 18) after assisting Dom Dwyer's goal in a 2-1 win over Montreal on July 12, his first match for the club since returning from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Was voted to the MLS Fan XI on July 16, earning MLS All-Star honors for the third time in his career. Received the first red card of his 148-game MLS career on July 26 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Started and played 45 minutes in the MLS All-Star Game on Aug. 6 as the MLS All-Stars defeated Bayern Munich 2-1 in Portland. Earned MLS Team of the Week honors (Week 30) after a 0-0 draw at D.C. United on Oct. 3 in which he had eight interceptions and nine clearances. MLS Playoffs: Played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss at New York in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round (Oct. 30). CCL: Played 90 minutes in both 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal legs vs. Cruz Azul, contributing to a shutout in the first leg on March 12. Started three matches (270 minutes) in the 2014-15 group stage, contributing to one shutout. Open Cup: Did not feature. Friendly: Played 45 minutes in a 4-1 Champions Shield defeat to Manchester City on July 23 at Sporting Park.
2013: Click here to view Besler's 2013 MLS Regular Season Highlights. Voted Sporting KC's Defensive Player of the Year and named MLS Best XI. MLS: Besler has appeared in 23 regular season matches for Sporting KC. Besler anchored a defense that earned 13 shutouts in 2013. Besler earned his first assist of the season against the Portland Timbers on April 27 and his second against the Philadelphia Union on October 26. PLAYOFFS: Started and played full time in all five playoff matches including the MLS Cup Final. CCL: Besler started two of the team's four CONCACAF Champions League group stage matches: 1-1 draw vs. Real Esteli on September 17 and a 0-0 draw vs. CD Olimpia on October 23.
2012: Named Sporting Kansas City’s Defensive Player of the Year, MLS Defender of the Year, MLSsoccer.com Breakout Player of the Year, and MLS Best XI. Besler appeared in 31 matches this season, making 30 starts and playing a total of 2,769 minutes at center back for Sporting Kansas City. Besler notched the game-winning assist in 2-1 victory over D.C. United on August 11 at Sporting Park. Besler also tallied a game-winning assist on September 19 during Sporting Kansas City’s 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Besler played in all five Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches and converted PK in championship shootout.
2011: Named a 2011 MLS All-Star, Besler featured in 32 MLS regular season matches for Sporting Kansas City, playing the full 90 minutes in each one. Registered two goals and two assists on the season, scoring his first career goal on March 26 v. Chicago. Scored the game-winning goal on Oct. 22 v. D.C. United to secure the top seed for Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference. Team leader in minutes played in 2011.
2010: Had 10 starts and played in 12 matches, primarily in central defense. Also played 46 minutes in Kansas City’s 2-1 upset of Manchester United in summer friendly, entering after Jimmy Conrad’s ejection in the first half.
2009: Selected 8th overall in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Appeared in 28 matches with 26 starts as a rookie, either as a left back or in central defense.
NATIONAL TEAM (47 caps, 1 goal and 1 assist):
2012: Named to U.S. Men's National Team for first time in August 2012 as part of 23-player roster for friendly against Mexico at Estadio Azteca. The Americans defeat of Mexico snapped a 20-game winless streak for the USMNT in matches played in Mexico City.
2013: Called into the 2013 USMNT January Camp along with Sporting KC teammates Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber. Earned his first cap for the USMNT on January 29, 2013 (0-0 draw against Canada). Besler was named to the USMNT squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifying games against Costa Rica (March 22, 2013) and Mexico (March 26, 2013). He earned his first start and second cap for the USMNT against Mexico at Estadio Azteca and helped the team to a 0-0 draw, marking only the second time in USMNT history that the team has earned a point at Estadio Azteca in World Cup Qualifying history. Played final 21 minutes of 4-2 friendly loss to Belgium on May 29, 2013. Started and played 90 minutes in 4-3 win over Germany in U.S. Soccer's Centenniel Celebration (June 2, 2013). Started and played 90 minutes in World Cup qualifier wins over Jamaica (June 7, 2013), Panama (June 11, 2013) and Honduras (June 18, 2013). Called in for quarterfinal stage of 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and played 75 minutes in 5-1 win over El Salvador (July 21, 2013). Started and played 90 minutes in 3-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal win over Honduras (July 24, 2013) and 1-0 CONCACAF Gold Cup final win over Panama (July 28, 2013). Started, played 90 minutes and picked up a yellow card in a 3-1 loss to Costa Rica in FIFA World Cup Qualifying (September 6, 2013). Was suspended for match vs. Mexico on September 10, 2013, due to yellow card accumulation. Started and played 90 minutes in 2-0 win over Jamaica at Sporting Park that sealed first place in the Hex.
2014: Participated in January Camp and played 60 minutes in 2-0 win over Korea Republic on Feb. 1. Named to the roster for April 2 international friendly against Mexico. Named to the final 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on May 22. Started in pre-World Cup friendly victories over Azerbaijan (2-0) on May 27, Turkey (2-1) on June 1 and Nigeria (2-1) on June 7. Appeared in a 4-1 friendly defeat against Ireland on Nov. 18, starting and playing the full match.
2014 FIFA WORLD CUP: Started and played 45 minutes in a 2-1 win over Ghana on June 16. Started and played the full match in a 2-2 draw against Portugal on June 22, leading all players with 12 clearances and five interceptions. Started and played the full match in a 1-0 loss to Germany on June 26. Started and played all 120 minutes in a 2-1 extra time loss to Belgium in the Round of 16.
2015: Started both international friendlies during the U.S. MNT January Camp. Played 90 minutes in a 3-2 defeat at Chile on Jan. 28, recording the first assist of his international career to Brek Shea in the sixth minute. Played 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Panama on Feb. 8. Played 28 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 friendly win over Peru on Sept. 4. Played 120 minutes in the CONCACAF Cup as the U.S. fell to Mexico 3-2 in extra time on Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl. Started and played 90 minutes in a 6-1 win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Nov. 13 as the U.S. kicked off the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Started and played 90 minutes in a 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw at Trinidad and Tobago on Nov. 17.
2016: Joined the U.S. MNT for his fourth straight January Camp, playing 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Iceland (Jan. 31) and a 1-0 win over Canada (Feb. 5). Played 13 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over Ecuador on May 25. Started and played 45 minutes in a 4-0 win over Bolivia on May 28 at Children's Mercy Park. Played 90 minutes and scored his first international goal in a 6-0 victory at St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 2. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 friendly draw against New Zealand on Oct. 11. Started and played 81 minutes in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Mexico on Nov. 11. Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying defeat at Costa Rica on Nov. 15. 2016 COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO: Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Ecuador on June 16. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 third place defeat to Colombia on June 25.
2017: Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 friendly win over Ghana on July 1. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw at Honduras on Sept. 5, helping to set up Bobby Wood's equalizing goal in the final moments of the game. Started and played 90 minutes in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Panama on Oct. 6. Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss at Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10. CONCACAF Gold Cup: Was named to head coach Bruce Arena's 23-man roster for the tournament. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 group stage draw against Panama on July 8. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-0 group stage win over Nicaragua on July 15. Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 semifinal win over Costa Rica on July 22. Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Jamaica on July 26 as the U.S. MNT was crowned 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup champion.
Youth: Trained with the U.S. U-20 National Team in December 2006. Played on the U.S. U-15 National Team.
COLLEGE: Played 4 seasons at the University of Notre Dame, receiving All-American and Academic All-American honors as a senior. Named the NSCAA 2008 Senior College Men's Scholar All-America Player of the Year. Was named to the All Big East Team 3 times, playing in 90 games (73 starts) during his college career. Finished college career with 5 goals and 7 assists. Helped Notre Dame gain 4 straight berths to the NCAA Championship, including the program's first 2 trips to the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2007.
YOUTH: Four year All-Conference player at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, KS. Led Blue Valley West to the Kansas 5A State Championship as a senior, scoring 23 goals with 19 assists. Holds season and career marks in total points (124), goals (40) and assists (44) at Blue Valley West. Member of the KCFC Alliance club team, where he was teammates with current Sporting Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic. Also a key member of the Region II Olympic Developmental Program (ODP). Competed in the 2004 ESP All-Star game.
PERSONAL: Has two younger brothers, Mike and Nick. His brother Nick is a midfielder for Real Salt Lake. Mike is a high school teacher and coach in the Kansas City area. He also enjoys basketball, golf, and spending time with his dog Gipper. Graduated from Notre Dame in 3.5 years with degree in psychology/pre-medicine and is a big Fighting Irish sports fan. Attended many of Sporting Kansas City’s MLS matches during his childhood, including the club's inaugural game, and is a supporter of all sports organizations in Kansas City. His favorite athlete growing up was Michael Jordan. His aunt, Marcia Pankratz, was a two-time Olympian in field hockey. Played youth soccer with current Sporting KC defender Seth Sinovic. Wears the number five in honor of former Royals third basemen George Brett. Married his long-time girlfriend Amanda in 2013.
