After four months of training in the most unusual of global circumstances, captain Matt Besler and Sporting Kansas City finally have a competitive match to look forward to this weekend.
Sporting will open their MLS is Back Tournament campaign on Sunday, facing Minnesota United FC at 7 p.m. CT with live coverage on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, the ESPN app, Sports Radio 810 WHB, La Grande 1340 AM and SiriusXM FC.
Making his customary appearance on Sports Radio 810 WHB with Border Patrol hosts Nate Bukaty, Steven St. John and Jake Gutierrez this morning, Besler was quick to express his excitement.
“It almost doesn’t feel real,” Besler said. “It’s been so long since we had a competitive match against somebody else. Honestly it hasn’t even hit me. I’m definitely ready for the game, but I don’t know if it’ll hit me until game day when you wake up that morning and go through your game day routine.
“It’s going to be nice because it’s much needed for us, for our staff and for our fans, too. This just gives people something to look forward to. People know, ‘Okay, we’re gonna be playing a game Sunday at 7 o’clock.’ It’s an exciting time for the league and for us. It’s going to be nice running around and kicking someone else for a change.”
Now in his 12th MLS season with his hometown club, Besler provided a detailed rundown of Sporting’s daily routine at the Dolphin Hotel and ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World. Sporadic thunderstorms have thrown a few wrinkles in Sporting’s practice schedule, but the center back has been pleased with the hotel and training amenities, making a particular note about the Galaga arcade game available in the team’s lounge.
The MLS is Back Tournament kicked off July 8 and will consist of 16 straight days of group stage action through July 23. The Round of 16 will run from July 25-28, followed by the Quarterfinals (July 30 – Aug. 1), Semifinals (Aug. 5-6) and Final on Aug. 11. For more information about the one-of-a-kind competition, visit SportingKC.com/MLSisBack.
