A recent wave of injuries has Sporting Kansas City’s roster stretched as the Month of May beckons. Among those sidelined is captain Matt Besler, who made his customary appearance on Sports Radio 810 WHB this morning.
Speaking with The Border Patrol host Nate Bukaty, Besler acknowledged the fact that Sporting will have to navigate the near term without some of the club’s biggest contributors. The defender is joined on the injury report by veterans Roger Espinoza and Rodney Wallace, outside backs Jimmy Medranda and Jaylin Lindsey, and forward Erik Hurtado. All five will be out for the foreseeable future, while center back Andreu Fontas and midfielder Gedion Zelalem were listed as questionable last week.
Nevertheless, Besler is confident his side is perfectly capable of overcoming the challenge as five of the club’s next six MLS matches will take place at Children’s Mercy Park.
“This is an opportunity for other guys to step up and be leaders, make plays and get more minutes than they previously would have,” Besler said. “For all of us who are out injured, (we want to) find the right balance of staying connected to the team and having our presence felt while also letting the others take it from here and see who’s going to rise to the challenge.”
One player looking to take advantage of that opportunity is center back Abdul Rwatubyaye, the 22-year-old Rwandan who replaced Besler after the captain exited with a pulled hamstring in last weekend’s loss at the San Jose Earthquakes.
Rwatubyaye joined Sporting in March after spending the first six years of his professional career in Rwanda. As discussed in Tuesday’s episode of The Sporting KC Show Podcast, Rwatubyaye has a remarkably fascinating past: he never knew his father and his mother died when he was young, but it didn’t deter him from chasing his passion for soccer at an early age.
“I’ve been really impressed with his demeanor and the way he has adapted,” Besler said of Rwatubyaye. Coming to America for some of these foreign players is such a culture shock that sometimes it takes a while (to adapt) and there are struggles. But it doesn’t really seem to be the case for Abdul. He’s come in with an open mind and been very outgoing. He’s very well-spoken and he’s been great to have on the team.”
Listen to the full podcast below.
