1. Matthew Scott "Matt" Besler is a former professional soccer player.
33 Facts About Matt Besler
1. 2.
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 US Open Cups.
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Matt Besler was the MLS Defender of the Year in 2012 and a five-time MLS All-Star.
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From 2013 to 2017, Matt Besler represented the United States national team, including at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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Matt Besler was a four-year All-Conference player at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas.
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Matt Besler 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.
7.
Matt Besler was named the 2004 Kansas City Star Metro Player of the Year, and an NSCAA High School All-American.
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Matt Besler was a member of the KCFC Alliance club team and a key member of the Region II Olympic Developmental Program alongside United States national team teammate Michael Bradley.
9.
Matt Besler competed in the 2004 Adidas ESP Camp and was named an All-Star.
10.
Matt Besler played college soccer at the University of Notre Dame, playing in 90 games and scoring 5 goals during his college career.
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Matt Besler became the first player in program history to be named an All-American and Academic All-American in the same year.
12.
Matt Besler 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.
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Matt Besler 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.
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Matt Besler was drafted in the first round in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards.
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Matt Besler was named an MLS All-Star team in 2011 for the first time in his career.
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In 2012, Matt Besler anchored the top defense in MLS with Sporting Kansas City and helped the club win the US Open Cup by converting his attempt after the game against the Seattle Sounders went into penalty kicks.
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Matt Besler was named 2012 MLS Defender of the Year and part of the MLS Best XI.
18.
On December 12,2012, Matt Besler re-signed with Sporting Kansas City on a three-year deal, passing up trial offers from Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and Birmingham City.
19.
Matt Besler was announced an MLS All-Star in 2013, as well as in 2014,2015, and the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.
20.
Matt Besler help lead Sporting Kansas City to an MLS Cup Championship in 2013, as well as additional US Open Cup Championships in 2015 and 2017.
21.
Kansas City opted not to renew Matt Besler's contract following the 2020 season.
22.
On January 6,2021, Matt Besler signed as a free agent with Austin FC ahead of their inaugural season in MLS.
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Matt Besler made his debut appearance for the United States on January 29,2013, in a friendly match against Canada.
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Matt Besler became the regular starting left-center back for the United States under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
25.
Matt Besler was rated the top performer during the 2014 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying matches.
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Subsequently, Matt Besler started in the World Cup qualifying wins against Jamaica, Panama, and Honduras.
27.
Matt Besler was selected for US national team 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
28.
Matt Besler started all three games of the group stage and their Round of 16 game, helping the US make it through the group stage for consecutive World Cups.
29.
However, Matt Besler was awarded a long-term Designated Player contract by Sporting Kansas City.
30.
Matt Besler scored his debut national team goal on September 2,2016, with an assist from Sporting Kansas City teammate Graham Zusi.
31.
Matt Besler was a part of the US national team that won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
32.
Matt Besler is known throughout his hometown of Kansas City for his willingness to give back to the community.
33.
Matt Besler married his wife, Amanda, at Visitation Catholic Church in December 2013, just one week after Matt Besler led Sporting KC to their second ever MLS Cup title.