Arguably no player has been more synonymous with Sporting Kansas City’s success this decade than current captain Matt Besler.
The center back and Kansas City native has lifted four major championships during his nine-year tenure at the club. His rise in professional stature has paralleled that of his teammate Graham Zusi’s. Both joined Sporting KC in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, enjoyed breakouts a few years later, and became regular faces for the U.S. Men’s National Team by 2013 — the same season they hoisted the MLS Cup at Children’s Mercy Park.
Now, as the calendar turns to 2018 and Besler begins his 10th MLS season in Kansas City, the defender has his eyes cast firmly into the future. And with that mindset comes goals that simply never change.
“Win trophies. It’s the same every year,” Besler asserted when asked about his team’s objectives for the upcoming campaign.
“I think we have to move on from what we’ve done in the past, whether it’s been good or bad,” he said. “Last year, three years ago, five years ago — none of that stuff matters anymore.”
Make no mistake, there were plenty of positives to come from 2017. Sporting KC were crowned champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the third time in six years and the fourth time overall. Besler also helped the team to the MLS Cup Playoffs for a club-record seventh consecutive season, and Tim Melia and Ike Opara were named MLS Goalkeeper and Defender of the Year, respectively.
“It was great that we were considered one of the top defense in the league, and Ike and Tim deservedly received recognition for that,” Besler said. “But it takes a lot of work to repeat that success. We have to start over with that.”
Replicating the backline success of 2017 won’t be easy, and that’s why Besler attacked the offseason after a few weeks’ rest. He has led a training program for the last eight weeks with players based in Kansas City to ensure they are ready to hit the ground running for preseason in Arizona.
“It’s a new team every year,” Besler said. “We have new guys, so we have to gel down in Arizona, and we all have to get on the same page. Hopefully we’re able to put the work in to set ourselves up for an exciting and successful season.”
“There’s a lot of excitement at this time of year.”
