Two days after being selected to Goal.com’s MLS Team of the Decade, Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler was named a top-10 MLS center back of all-time by MLSsoccer.com.
In a list compiled by MLSsoccer.com contributor Greg Seltzer, Besler ranked No. 9 among the league's greatest central defenders dating back to 1996.
Besler, who completed his 11th season for his hometown club in 2019, is one of two Kansas City defenders on the list alongside Sporting Legend Jimmy Conrad, who starred for the Wizards from 2003-2010. Conrad comes in at No. 7, with Seltzer's full list compiled below:
- Chad Marshall
- Eddie Pope
- Omar Gonzalez
- Carlos Bocanegra
- Robin Fraser
- Michael Parkhurst
- Jimmy Conrad
- Jamison Olave
- Matt Besler
- Marcelo Balboa
A native of Overland Park and a current resident of Leawood, Besler is Sporting Kansas City's all-time leader in appearances, starts and minutes—both in MLS and across all competitions. The 32-year-old became club captain in 2014 and guided the side to eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2011-2018, including a haul of four major trophies during that time with a 2013 MLS Cup and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2012, 2015, 2017).
