KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sporting Kansas City hope to have their captain and defensive anchor back in time for two crucial matches over the next six days. Whether that happens depends on how quickly the ugly purple bruise on the back of Matt Besler's right thigh heals up.
“Unfortunately, there's not really an update as of now,” Besler told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Monday. “It's pretty much the same status. I'm just trying to do everything I can to be ready to play.”
Besler picked up the injury on international duty with the United States, in last week's 1-1 draw against Honduras in Boca Raton, Fla. It kept him out of Saturday's 2-1 away loss to Philadelphia, which guaranteed that Sporting – though they already have qualified for a fourth straight postseason berth – can finish no higher than third in the Eastern Conference.
A win at home against New York, in Sunday's regular-season finale (8:30 pm ET; ESPN2), would guarantee that third-place spot and keep Sporting from dropping into the knockout round with a fourth- or fifth-place finish. But first, Kansas City have to travel to Costa Rica to take on Deportivo Saprissa on Thursday in their final group match of CONCACAF Champions League play (10 pm ET; Fox Soccer Plus).
Sporting would advance to the quarterfinals for a second straight year even with a one-goal loss and could even lose by two and move on if they score at least twice on Thursday.
Besler wants to be available for both matches but is listed as day-to-day, along with goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum (calf strain) and winger C.J. Sapong (thigh contusion).
“At this point in the season, if I had something that was nagging at me a little bit, I'd be on the field,” he said. “It's simple for me. If I can run – if I'm physically able to run – I will be on the field and I will be playing.”
Manager Peter Vermes usually makes a point of keeping injured players out until they're fully fit, but Besler said he can't wait that long.
“We don't have that luxury, and I wouldn't want it that way,” he said. “As soon as I'm physically able to run, you can bet that I'll be out there.”
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Of the three, Vermes told reporters after Monday's training session, Sapong appears the furthest along in his recovery.
“C.J. was out here training today, so we'll see how he feels tomorrow,” Vermes said. “He was struggling the other day when he trained, so we'll see.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
