Month: July 2014

Sporting KC re-signs Besler, Zusi to designated player contracts

Sporting Kansas City has signed defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi to long-term Designated Player contracts, the team announced.

“Getting these deals completed is extremely beneficial for the organization and the two players,” said Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes. “Graham (Zusi) and Matt (Besler) have both proven over the past almost six seasons that they are core players within this club. They have had a tremendous impact on creating a winning culture and these agreements keep us on the path of attaining our goals and expectations. I want to thank the ownership group for their continued vision and commitment to securing both players for the long term.”

An Overland Park native, Besler became the first player from the state of Kansas to play in a FIFA World Cup when he started all four matches for the United States in Brazil this summer. The 27-year-old centerback debuted for the U.S. in January 2013 and has 21 career international appearances, including all three knockout round games en route to the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

Besler has twice collected MLS Best XI (2012, 2013) honors and is a three-time MLS All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014). He was awarded MLS Defender of the Year in 2012 before being named a finalist again in 2013 and collected Sporting Kansas City’s Defensive Player of the Year each of the past three seasons.

He was named captain of the reigning MLS Cup champions prior to the 2014 season and was recognized as the Kansas City Sports Commission Sportsman of the Year in April. Besler has made 147 MLS appearances (including postseason) with two goals and seven assists since being drafted by Kansas City in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Notre Dame.

Heat advisory in effect today

National Weather Service graphic

A heat advisory will be in effect from noon today through 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs today will reach the low to mid 90s and factoring in the humidity, the heat index values will reach 97 to 105. The wind will be 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Temperatures will climb further on Tuesday with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values in the 102 to 107 range.

A cold front will move through the area Tuesday night with thunderstorms possible. There is a 40 percent chance of rain then.

Although widespread severe weather is not anticipated, there is the chance for an isolated severe storm capable of producing large hail and damaging winds, the weather service said.

T-Bones on pace to welcome 3-millionth fan Monday

The Kansas City T-Bones have announced that the club is on pace to welcome its 3-millionth fan during Monday’s game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

After the first three games of this six-game homestand, the T-Bones are now 2,865 people away from 3 million. The club’s overall attendance since 2003 is 2,997,135.

The T-Bones begin a three-game series against Grand Prairie on Monday night at 7:05. Based on projections, the 3 millionth fan should be coming through the gates Monday night.

The lucky fan that night, which is being sponsored by 7th Street Casino, will receive prizes including:

* Four (4) T-Bones season tickets for life;
* An autographed, game-used base from CommunityAmerica Ballpark;
* A baseball autographed by T-Bones coach and Royals Hall of Fame player Frank White;
* $300 toward a savings account from CommunityAmerica Credit Union;
* A prize pack from Coca-Cola;
* A phone from Verizon;
* A gift certificate from Danny’s Bar and Grill;
* A one-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kansas City, Kan.

The T-Bones are offering a special ticket discount — $7 Select Seats — for Monday when fans order online at tbonesbaseball.com with the code “3mil” when purchasing tickets. Tickets are available, also, by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.