KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics game tonight at Kauffman Stadium at 7:10 p.m. CT.
Besler and Zusi recently returned to Kansas City following a successful stint with the U.S. men's national team.
Besler started three World Cup qualifiers and Zusi started two and added an assist as the USMNT went 3-0-0 and moved into first place in their group in the final round of World Cup qualifying.
An Overland Park, Kan. native, Besler was named the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year after leading a Sporting KC defense that allowed only 27 goals in 34 games.
Besler earned his first cap with the U.S. Men's National Team in January and has started seven total matches for the USMNT including five World Cup qualifiers.
Zusi, a 2012 MLS MVP finalist, has three goals and five assists in 16 games for Sporting Kansas City this season. A 2012 MLS All-Star, Zusi has also been nominated for the Best MLS Player award at the The 2013 ESPYS! To vote for Zusi, visit www.ESPN.com/ESPYS.
Sporting Kansas City returns to action Sunday afternoon when they take on the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park at 2 p.m. CT. The match can be seen nationally on ESPN and heard locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB.
