Matt Besler

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Matt Besler

| image = Matt Besler (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Besler with Sporting Kansas City in 2019

| fullname = Matthew Scott Besler{{cite news| title = 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players| url =http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf| publisher = FIFA| page = 32| date = June 12, 2014| access-date = June 12, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190404045541/http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf | archive-date = April 4, 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|11}}

| birth_place = Overland Park, Kansas, United States

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2001–2005

| youthclubs1 = KCFC Alliance

| collegeyears1 = 2005–2008

| college1 = Notre Dame Fighting Irish

| collegecaps1 = 90

| collegegoals1 = 5

| years1 = 2009–2020

| clubs1 = Sporting Kansas City{{efn|The club was known as the Kansas City Wizards prior to rebranding as Sporting Kansas City in 2011}}

| caps1 = 294

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2021

| clubs2 = Austin FC

| caps2 = 20

| goals2 = 0

| totalcaps = 314

| totalgoals = 3

| nationalyears1 = 2006

| nationalteam1 = United States U20

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2013–2017

| nationalteam2 = United States

| nationalcaps2 = 47

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

| club-update = November 10, 2021

| nationalteam-update = October 10, 2017

}}

Matthew Scott "Matt" Besler ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|iː|z|l|ər}}; born February 11, 1987) is a former professional soccer player. Primarily a left-sided central defender, Besler spent the majority of his career in MLS with Sporting Kansas City, where he helped the team win the 2013 MLS Cup and three U.S. Open Cups. He was the MLS Defender of the Year in 2012 and a five-time MLS All-Star. From 2013 to 2017, Besler represented the United States national team, including at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Youth and college

Besler was a four-year All-Conference player at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas. He led Blue Valley West to the Kansas 5A State Championship as a senior, scoring 23 goals with 19 assists, and was named the 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas. Besler was named the 2004 Kansas City Star Metro Player of the Year, and an NSCAA High School All-American. He was also a member of the KCFC Alliance club team and a key member of the Region II Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) alongside United States national team teammate Michael Bradley. Besler competed in the 2004 Adidas ESP Camp and was named an All-Star.

Besler played college soccer at the University of Notre Dame, playing in 90 games (73 starts) and scoring 5 goals during his college career. He became the first player in program history to be named an All-American and Academic All-American in the same year. He was named the NSCAA 2008 Senior College Men's Scholar All-America Player of the Year, and was named to the All Big East Team three times. He helped Notre Dame gain four straight berths in the NCAA championship, including the program's first two trips to the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2007.

Professional career

Besler was drafted in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards. He made his professional debut on March 28, 2009, as an 87th-minute substitute during a 2–1 loss at the Colorado Rapids.http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/scoreboard/game.jsp?match=03282009_KCCOL {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=Elisfkc |fix-attempted=yes }} He scored his first professional goal on March 26, 2011, in a 3–2 loss to the Chicago Fire.[http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/fire-outlast-kansas-city-after-bravo-sees-red Fire outlast Kansas City after Bravo sees red] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430205329/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/fire-outlast-kansas-city-after-bravo-sees-red |date=April 30, 2011 }} Besler was named an MLS All-Star team in 2011 for the first time in his career.{{cite web |author=Kurt Austin |url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/07/matt-besler-voted-2011-mls-all-star |title=Matt Besler voted 2011 MLS All-Star | Sporting Kansas City |publisher=Sportingkc.com |date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714154227/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/07/matt-besler-voted-2011-mls-all-star |url-status=dead }} In 2012, Besler anchored the top defense in MLS with Sporting Kansas City and helped the club win the U.S. Open Cup by converting his attempt after the game against the Seattle Sounders went into penalty kicks. He also was named 2012 MLS Defender of the Year and part of the MLS Best XI.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/11/19/matt-besler-2012-defender-year |title=Matt Besler - 2012 Defender of the Year |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=November 19, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134023/http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/11/19/matt-besler-2012-defender-year |url-status=dead }}

On December 12, 2012, Besler re-signed with Sporting Kansas City on a three-year deal, passing up trial offers from Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and Birmingham City.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2013/news/article/2013/12/04/sporting-kansas-city-hero-matt-besler-breakout-blur-and-why-hes-staying-mls |title=Sporting Kansas City hero Matt Besler's breakout blur, and why he's staying in MLS |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150609/http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2013/news/article/2013/12/04/sporting-kansas-city-hero-matt-besler-breakout-blur-and-why-hes-staying-mls |url-status=dead }}

File:Bradley vs Besler MLS AllStar 2013.jpg and Besler vie for the ball in the 2013 MLS All-Star Game.]]

Besler was announced an MLS All-Star in 2013,{{cite web|title=All-Star: Tim Cahill, Robbie Keane, DeAndre Yedlin added to gameday roster; Landon Donovan left off|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2013/news/article/2013/07/15/all-star-tim-cahill-robbie-keane-deandre-yedlin-added-mls-gameday-roster-lan|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=July 15, 2013|archive-date=December 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221013130/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2013/news/article/2013/07/15/all-star-tim-cahill-robbie-keane-deandre-yedlin-added-mls-gameday-roster-lan|url-status=dead}} as well as in 2014, 2015, and the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal|title=Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=17 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016}}

Besler help lead Sporting Kansas City to an MLS Cup Championship in 2013, as well as additional U.S. Open Cup Championships in 2015 and 2017.

Throughout the 2018 season, Besler became the all-time leader in each of the club's longevity categories, overtaking club legends such as Davy Arnaud and Kerry Zavagnin for games played, games started, and minutes played both in MLS play and in all competitions.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} Kansas City opted not to renew Besler's contract following the 2020 season.{{cite web| url = https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2020/12/09/sporting-kc-announces-roster-moves-ahead-2021-mls-season| title = Sporting KC announces roster moves ahead of 2021 MLS season {{!}} Sporting Kansas City}}

On January 6, 2021, Besler signed as a free agent with Austin FC ahead of their inaugural season in MLS.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinfc.com/post/2021/01/06/austin-fc-acquires-sporting-kansas-city-captain-matt-besler-free-agency |title=Austin FC Acquires Sporting Kansas City Captain Matt Besler via Free Agency {{!}} Austin FC |website=www.austinfc.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106145505/https://www.austinfc.com/post/2021/01/06/austin-fc-acquires-sporting-kansas-city-captain-matt-besler-free-agency |archive-date=2021-01-06}} Following the 2021 season, Besler announced his retirement from playing professional soccer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.austinfc.com/news/retirement-by-matt-besler|title = Retirement | by Matt Besler | Austin FC}}

International career

On August 23, 2012, Besler was called up to the United States team by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann for a friendly against Mexico, but he did not appear in the match.

Besler made his debut appearance for the United States on January 29, 2013, in a friendly match against Canada.

Besler became the regular starting left-center back for the United States under head coach Jürgen Klinsmann. He was rated the top performer{{cite web|url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/52171/besler-leads-player-ratings-through-day-5.html |title=Besler leads player ratings through Day 5 06/17/2013 |publisher=SoccerAmerica |date=June 17, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2014}} during the 2014 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying matches.

On March 26, 2013, Besler made his debut World Cup qualifying appearance in a 0–0 draw at Mexico. On June 2, Besler started as the United States defeated Germany{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-06-02-USA-v-GER/recap |title=USMNT 4, Germany 3 {{!}} International Friendly Match Recap |access-date=2013-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710022155/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-06-02-USA-v-GER/recap |archive-date=July 10, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} 4–3 in an international friendly played at RFK Stadium. Subsequently, Besler started in the World Cup qualifying wins against Jamaica, Panama, and Honduras.

After being left off of the initial roster for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup so that the team could evaluate other players, Besler was added to strengthen the squad after the United States qualified for the knockout round.{{cite web|title=Gold Cup: Omar Gonzalez, Alan Gordon, Matt Besler, Eddie Johnson added to USMNT roster|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/17/gold-cup-omar-gonzalez-alan-gordon-matt-besler-eddie-johnson-added-usmnt-ros|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=September 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907063431/http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/17/gold-cup-omar-gonzalez-alan-gordon-matt-besler-eddie-johnson-added-usmnt-ros|url-status=dead}} The team went on to win the 2013 Gold Cup Final against Panama at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Besler was selected for U.S. national team 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He started all three games of the group stage and their Round of 16 game, helping the U.S. make it through the group stage for consecutive World Cups. Following his strong performance in the World Cup, several European outfits placed offers and expressed interest in signing Besler, including Freiburg, Fulham and Sunderland. However, Besler was awarded a long-term Designated Player contract by Sporting Kansas City.

He scored his debut national team goal on September 2, 2016, with an assist from Sporting Kansas City teammate Graham Zusi. This was the same day his first child was born.

Besler was a part of the U.S. national team that won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Besler made four appearances in the tournament, including a start in the final as the U.S. beat Jamaica 2–1 on a late goal from Jordan Morris as Besler lifted his second international title.

=International goals=

:Scores and results list United States' goal tally first.{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/50929/Matt_Besler.html|title=Besler, Matt|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=February 4, 2017}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"

! No !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

September 2, 2016

Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

align=center | 2–0

align=center | 6–0

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Personal

File:Matt Besler and Khiry Shelton.jpg of Sporting Kansas City, June 2021]]

Besler is known throughout his hometown of Kansas City for his willingness to give back to the community. In April 2012, Besler was named W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the month by Major League Soccer.{{cite web |author=Steve Brisendine |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/04/09/sportings-besler-named-mls-works-humanitarian-april |title=Sporting's Besler named W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian for April |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=April 9, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016061646/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/04/09/sportings-besler-named-mls-works-humanitarian-april |url-status=dead }}

His youngest brother, Nick, was drafted by the Portland Timbers 5th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, and currently plays for fellow MLS club Real Salt Lake.

Besler married his wife, Amanda, at Visitation Catholic Church in December 2013, just one week after Besler led Sporting KC to their second ever MLS Cup title.{{Cite web|title=KANSAS CITY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: MATT & AMANDA BESLER|url=http://sharayaphoto.com/2014/01/25/kansas-city-wedding-photographer-matt-amanda-besler/|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219133108/http://sharayaphoto.com/2014/01/25/kansas-city-wedding-photographer-matt-amanda-besler/|url-status=dead}} Besler and his wife raise their three children in Leawood, Kansas.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Playoffs !colspan="2"\|National cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="13"\|Sporting Kansas City \|2009 \|rowspan="12"\|MLS \|28	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	32	0
2010 \|12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
2011 \|32	2	3	0	2	0	0	0	37	2
2012 \|31	0	2	0	5	0	0	0	38	0
2013 \|23	0	5	0	0	0	2	0	30	0
2014 \|24	0	1	0	0	0	5	0	30	0
2015 \|32	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	38	0
2016 \|18	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	20	1
2017 \|26	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	30	0
2018 \|31	0	4	0	1	0	0	0	36	0
2019 \|27	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	33	0
2020 \|10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
colspan=2\|Total !294	3	18	0	17	0	16	0	345	3
Austin FC \|2021 \|MLS \|20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !314	3	18	0	17	0	16	0	365	3

Honors

Sporting Kansas City

U.S. Open Cup: 2012, 2015, 2017
MLS Cup: 2013

United States

CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2013,{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/28/usa-panama-live-gold-cup-final|title= USA 1–0 Panama – as it happened|date=July 28, 2013|work=Guardian UK|access-date=July 5, 2023 }} 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/07/27/usmnt-defeats-jamaica-win-concacaf-gold-cup/515273001/|title= U.S. men's national team defeats Jamaica to win CONCACAF Gold Cup|date=July 26, 2017|work=USA Today|accessdate=July 5, 2023}}

Individual

Sporting Kansas City Defensive Player of the Year: 2011, 2015
MLS Defender of the Year: 2012{{cite web|last=Wiebe|first=Andrew|title=Sporting KC's Besler named 2012 Defender of the Year|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/20/sporting-kcs-besler-named-2012-defender-year|publisher=MLS Soccer|access-date=November 20, 2012|archive-date=November 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128010414/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/20/sporting-kcs-besler-named-2012-defender-year|url-status=dead}}
MLS Breakout Player of the Year: 2012{{cite web |url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/12/matt-besler-named-mls-breakout-player-year |title=Matt Besler named MLS Breakout Player of the Year | Sporting Kansas City |publisher=Sportingkc.com |date=December 21, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105813/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/12/matt-besler-named-mls-breakout-player-year |url-status=dead }}
MLS Best XI: 2012,{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/26/sporting-kc-land-four-players-2012-mls-best-xi |title=MLS reveals 2012 Best XI, headlined by Sporting KC quartet |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-date=June 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628005254/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/26/sporting-kc-land-four-players-2012-mls-best-xi |url-status=dead }} 2013
MLS All-Star: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016