Former US defender Besler retires after 13 years in MLS

By: The Associated Press Posted: Last Modified:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former U.S. men's national team defender Matt Besler, who spent 13 seasons in Major League Soccer and was a five-time All-Star, announced his retirement Wednesday.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/11/2021 (1781 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former U.S. men’s national team defender Matt Besler, who spent 13 seasons in Major League Soccer and was a five-time All-Star, announced his retirement Wednesday.

Besler played 47 matches for the national team from 2013-2017, including all four matches of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where the U.S. advanced to the round of 16.

Besler, 34, played 12 seasons with Sporting Kansas City, then signed as a free agent with Austin, where he played 20 matches this season for the expansion club. He was the MLS defender of the year in 2012 and helped Kansas City win the league championship in 2013.

FILE - Austin FC defender Matt Besler waves to the crowd after the team's win over the Houston Dynamo in an MLS soccer match in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Former U.S. men's national team defender Matt Besler, who spent 13 seasons in Major League Soccer and was a five-time All-Star, announced his retirement Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
FILE - Austin FC defender Matt Besler waves to the crowd after the team's win over the Houston Dynamo in an MLS soccer match in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Former U.S. men's national team defender Matt Besler, who spent 13 seasons in Major League Soccer and was a five-time All-Star, announced his retirement Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

He also was a member of the U.S. national team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup championship in 2013 and 2017.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Related Articles

MATCHDAY: France, Belgium, Netherlands can qualify for WCup Former soccer executive charged with sexually abusing minor Aircraft operator in Sala case gets 18-month prison sentence Leon Goretzka to miss Germany game after blow to head
Germany's Leon Goretzka, right, and Liechtenstein's Nicolas Hasler challenge for the ball during the World Cup 2022 group J qualifying soccer match between Germany and Liechtenstein in Wolfsburg, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Alphonso Davies used to attend this after-school soccer program. Now it’s a transformative hub for Edmonton’s marginalized kids
Catherine Page photo Each day, kids rotate between soccer, hockey, basketball, and football, plus one day for an “adventure” somewhere in Edmonton in the Free Play for Kids after-school program.
Brazil beats Colombia 1-0 to qualify for Qatar World Cup
Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, center, celebrates with teammates Vini Jr, left, and Neymar after scoring his side's opening goal against Colombia during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, Nov.11, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Canada is hoping to create a little distance from Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying
Richard Lautens - Toronto Star Canadian keeper Milan Borjan returns to the national team after dealing with COVID-19 and missing the team’s October matches.
Looking for soccer support, US picks Ohio to host vs Mexico
FILE - Fans cheer during a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Jamaica and the United States on Oct. 7, 2021, in Austin, Texas. In choosing new TQL Stadium in Cincinnati for Friday night's World Cup qualifier against Mexico, the U.S. Soccer Federation picked a city with just 3% Hispanic population in a state that ranks 42nd among the 50 in that demographic. “When you’re talking about a World Cup qualifier, it’s really important to have a pro-U.S. crowd, and whether that’s Latinos in the stands or not, we want a pro-U.S. crowd,
Spain profits from Sweden's slip, Portugal draws in Ireland
Spain's players celebrate their team victory over Greace at the end of the World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match between Greece and Spain at the Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Nov 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Herdman no stranger to fixing broken programs
Canada men's national soccer team head coach John Herdman, right, speaks with Mark-Anthony Kaye of the Canada men's national soccer team during a train session in Toronto on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler
Mali through to last 10 in WC qualifying, setback for Ghana

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

Soccer

LOAD SOCCER ARTICLES