MLS Cup champion Matt Besler selected as Sporting Legends inductee for 2025

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - MLS Cup Champion, World Cup veteran and local native Matt Besler has been selected as the newest member of Sporting Legends.

The club announced the news Tuesday, setting the stage for Besler to be inducted into the Sporting Legends hall of honor in an on-field ceremony on June 28 at Children’s Mercy Park.

Besler, who grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, is the 14th inductee in club history. When he’s inducted in June, he’ll have his name added to the outside of The Victory Suite in the northwest corner of Children’s Mercy Park.

The anchor of Sporting KC’s defense for more than a decade, Besler played for the club for 12 of his 13 seasons in the MLS. He was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards as the eighth overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Notre Dame.

Besler was a five-time MLS All-Star, a two-time MLS Best XI honoree for his play in 2012 and 2013, and the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year.

He helped Sporting KC win the MLS Cup in 2013, prevailing on penalties over Real Salt Lake.

In 2014, he played in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

In Sporting KC history, Besler ranks third in matches played (294) in MLS regular season, second in starts (285) and second in minutes (25,501). He played his final match for Sporting KC on Sept. 23, 2020.