Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that the club has signed four MLS All-Stars to new, multi-year contracts: defender Matt Besler, midfielder Roger Espinoza, midfielder Ilie Sanchez and defender Graham Zusi.
Besler, Espinoza, Ilie and Zusi have all contributed to Sporting Kansas City’s most successful era in club history, highlighted by four major championships since 2012 and a team-record seven-year playoff streak.
“These players have consistently performed at a high level and helped the club achieve tremendous success,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. “Their winning mentality, work ethic, team-first attitude and all of the contributions they make outside of the soccer field in the community are integral to our strong culture, and we are excited to continue our pursuit of all of our goals with them in Kansas City.”
Besler, 31, is Sporting KC’s all-time leader in appearances (293), starts (285) and minutes played (25,805) across all competitions. The 10-year veteran is a five-time MLS All-Star (2011, 2013-16), a two-time MLS Best XI selection (2012-13) and was named the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year. Besler has helped Sporting KC secure four major trophies this decade, including the 2013 MLS Cup and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Besler joined his hometown club in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Notre Dame. He has contributed to 86 regular-season shutouts over the last 10 years, more than any other MLS defender. The center back has also earned 47 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2013, winning Concacaf Gold Cup titles in 2013 and 2017 and starting all four matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Espinoza has totaled 247 competitive appearances across two separate stints with Sporting KC – seventh-most in club history – with six goals and 35 assists. The 2008 MLS SuperDraft selection and Ohio State University product has represented no other MLS club during his 11-year professional career. He was named an MLS All-Star in 2012, the same year he helped guide the team to the U.S. Open Cup title and its best-ever regular-season record, before signing with English Premier League side Wigan Athletic in 2013. While in England, he helped Wigan to a historic upset against Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup Final, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win. Espinoza returned to Sporting KC in 2015 and has been a pivotal midfield contributor ever since, starting all 103 of his MLS appearances over the last four seasons.
On the international level, Espinoza has represented Honduras at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups as well as the 2012 Summer Olympics. He has earned 52 caps for Los Catrachos since 2009, bagging four goals, and made five career World Cup starts. The 31-year-old is currently enjoying one of his best professional seasons with a career-high and team-best nine MLS assists for Sporting KC.
Ilie has been one of the premier defensive midfielders in MLS since signing for Sporting KC in early 2017, ranking second in successful passes, ninth in duels won and 10th in interceptions over the last two seasons combined. During that time, the Spaniard has started 68 of Sporting KC’s 69 games in all competitions, playing every minute in each appearance. He earned Sporting KC Newcomer of the Year honors last fall after helping the team to its third U.S. Open Cup title in six seasons.
A native of Barcelona, Spain, Ilie has scored a career-high four goals this season to go with three assists. He places second in MLS in successful passes and sixth among field players in recoveries. The 27-year-old garnered MLS All-Star recognition this summer and played alongside Zusi in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game against Italian giants Juventus.
Like Besler, Zusi joined Sporting KC in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and has spent his entire professional career with the club. The University of Maryland product was named the 2011 MLS Breakout Player of the Year before landing six MLS All-Star nods (2012-2015, 2017-18) and two MLS Best XI selections (2012-13). Zusi has amassed 31 goals and 75 assists in 283 competitive matches for Sporting KC, ranking second in club history in both regular-season assists (60) and regular-season appearances (244).
Zusi, 32, has transitioned from central midfielder to winger to right back over the course of his trophy-laden Sporting KC career. Since moving to the right back position at the start of 2017, his 111 chances created are more than double the total of any other MLS defender. His versatility helped him become a regular fixture for the U.S. Men’s National Team, where he has collected 55 caps since 2012 with five goals and seven assists. He appeared in all four matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a wide midfielder – tallying two assists – before representing his country at the 2015 and 2017 Concacaf Gold Cups, winning the latter as a right back.
Sporting KC currently occupies third place in the Western Conference, four points behind leaders FC Dallas. Tickets for the club’s final four regular-season home matches at Children’s Mercy Park, including Saturday’s clash against Orlando City SC, are available at SeatGeek.com.
– Story from Sporting KC
