KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sporting Kansas City stars Matt Besler and Graham Zusi made the final cut for the United States Men’s National Team roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann released the final 23-man roster Thursday.
“There is no surprise on my end. They have proven themselves over the course of qualifying that they have been integral parts of getting the team to Brazil,” said Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes. “Since we drafted both players, you always knew the potential was there to be high level international players. The most rewarding aspect is that because of the effort of both players year after year and their constant pursuit of excellence has paid off in a fantastic way in that they will have the opportunity play in the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Besler, an Overland Park native, has made 14 appearances for the United States since debuting in January 2013, including six FIFA World Cup qualifiers and all three knockout round games in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He will be the first Kansan to play in the World Cup.
UNITED STATES 23-PLAYER WORLD CUP ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
