On New Year's Eve, Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was in his Kansas City home spending time with his family who flew in from Denmark. Champagne and cigars at midnight is the White Puma’s tradition.
But when it comes to resolutions, Nielsen said he wants to spend more time with his family in 2013, which means saying, “No,” more often.
“I want to be better at saying no to stuff,” Nielsen began, “I want to get more time when I’m off with my family. There are a lot of days during the year where I could use 36 hours instead of 24 hours. There’re so many things to do all the time. I want to be better at saying, ‘No.’”
And with 2013 just around the corner, a few other Sporting Kansas City players have begun thinking about the New Year as well.
MLS breakout player of the year Matt Besler spent his New Year's in Colorado. While he’s there to celebrate the holiday with friends, the defender popped the question to his new fiancé, Amanda Miller, and she said yes. While it’s assumed 2013 will be a year full of wedding planning for the future Mr. and Mrs. Besler, Matt shared his 2013 resolutions over the phone last week.
“First off, I want to try and stay in touch with my younger brothers more. One’s in law school and one’s away in college,” Besler said, “but also, to eat more vegetables.”
Kansas City native Seth Sinovic stayed in his hometown for the holidays. His siblings, sister Emily and brother Adam, are home too, so he said he’s looking forward to the time he gets to spend with them.
“My resolution?” Sinovic laughed, “To eat less candy, because I kind of have a sweet tooth.”
If they stick to their resolutions, it looks like the two defenders, Besler and Sinovic, will have something to work on together off the field this year – and maybe share a salad or two at lunch.
Goalkeeper Jon Kempin also celebrated the New Year's with family and friends, but it hasn’t always been that way for Kempin. The past two years he’s been out of town, competing with the under-20 United States National Team.
“For 2013, I want to take some more college classes,” Kempin said about his New Year's resolution, “and hopefully keep up a 4.0 with my online classes.”
At his East Coast home in North Carolina, Ike Opara said while he’s not in Kansas City yet, the defender is looking forward to the upcoming season with Sporting KC
“Having a healthy and productive year,” Opara said was his resolution, “and hopefully winning the MLS Cup.”
Training starts up again on Jan. 20 in Tuscon, Ariz., and Sporting KC kicks off its 2013 season on March 2 in Philadelphia, Pa., against the Union.
With an exciting 2012 under it’s belt, Sporting Kanas City enters 2013 fresh and ready for another year to shine – for the Glory of the City.
