Two of Sporting Kansas City’s own are receiving plenty of accolades after putting in quality performances for the United States at the World Cup.
Matt Besler started all four USMNT games, and the defender’s stock is rising, along with his visibility - he recently made the rounds of the morning talk shows alongside DeAndre Yedlin. Sporting teammate Graham Zusi made three starts and four total appearances for his country in Brazil, making two assists along the way.
The players, both 27, have spent almost their entire senior careers with Kansas City (Zusi made ten appearances with the Central Florida Kraze). And coach Peter Vermes is confident they’ll remain with Sporting KC, even if clubs overseas begin courting the duo:Obviously, we maybe don’t compare in the fact that we don’t have the same pocketbook they do, because of our salary cap. But outside of that: the facilities, the stadium, the game environment, fans, city to live in – this is the best country in the world, the United States.
Then the final piece that you evaluate when you go somewhere – yeah, maybe I’m going to go somewhere and make some more money, but am I playing on a regular basis? I look at it like this – why would they want to leave? All their success has been found here. Why do you want to move on if you’re here, you make a good living and you have all that opportunity?
Vermes does seem to gloss over what may be the most enticing factor to players looking to move abroad: the money. While it’s nice to think that some players may still hold loyalty to a particular club, the reality is most are tempted by a fatter paycheck - even if it might mean a new city, or less opportunity for playing time.
But perhaps the coach is right. Maybe Sporting Kansas City would be able to hold on to their stars, thanks to the environment they’ve created. What do you think?