Sporting KC Captain Matt Besler Joins U.S. MNT

April 12, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release

Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler is a member of the United States Men's National Team roster for this week's international friendly against Mexico, U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday. The CONCACAF rivals will play at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday live on FOX Sports 1, UniMas and UDN from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"I'm excited to join the national team," Besler said. "It's always an honor to represent my country and games against Mexico definitely carry extra meaning for our team. This will be a good test for us as we continue to prepare to defend our Gold Cup title."

Besler has made 25 career international appearances for the United States since his debut in 2013, including starts in all four U.S. MNT matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 28-year-old made his 150th MLS regular season start for Sporting KC last night and recorded game-winning assists in the team's previous two matches.

An Overland Park, Kansas native, Besler is in his seventh professional season since being selected in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Notre Dame. He is a three-time MLS All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014) and has twice been named to the MLS Best XI (2012, 2013) to go along with an MLS Defender of the Year honor in 2012.

Besler is one of eight defenders on Jurgen Klinsmann's 22-player roster. He will re-join Sporting Kansas City on Thursday in Los Angeles in preparation for the team's Week 7 road match against reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy on Saturday.

The United States -- currently ranked No. 27 by FIFA -- is unbeaten (2-0-3) in their past five matches against Mexico since falling to El Tri in the 2011 Gold Cup final. Mexico, No. 18 in the world rankings, is coming off a 1-0 win over Paraguay at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City last month.

Please note: When discussing our team, please refer to the club on first reference as Sporting Kansas City or Sporting KC. A charter member of Major League Soccer since 1996, Sporting KC has twice won MLS Cup (2000, 2013) and the U.S. Open Cup (2004, 2012) to go along with a Supporters' Shield (2000) title.

Major League Soccer Stories from April 12, 2015

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• Timbers Fall 2-0 to Orlando City SC at Providence Park - Portland Timbers
• Omar Gonzalez and Gyasi Zardes Called up to U.S. Men's National Team for Mexico Match - LA Galaxy
• Bill Hamid Called up to U.S. Men's National Team - D.C. United
• Orlando Defeats Portland Timbers 2-0 on the Road - Orlando City SC
• Mix Diskerud Named in USMNT Squad to Face Mexico - New York City FC
• Bradley Called into United States National Team - Toronto FC
• Agudelo and Nguyen Called in to U.S. National Team - New England Revolution
• Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando Called in to US National Team - Real Salt Lake
• Earthquakes Forward Chris Wondolowski Named to U.S. National Team Roster for Match vs. Mexico - San Jose Earthquakes
• Sporting KC Captain Matt Besler Joins U.S. MNT - Sporting Kansas City
• Impact Acquires Forward Kenny Cooper - Club de Foot Montreal
• Earthquakes Earn Three Points against Conference-Leading Whitecaps FC - San Jose Earthquakes
• 'Caps fall but remain in first place in MLS standings - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Real Salt Lake Earns 0-0 Draw at Kansas City - Real Salt Lake

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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