Sporting KC

Sporting KC to open against Colorado in Desert Diamond Cup exhibition


Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler celebrated after a Lawrence Olum goal on July 19, 2014. Besler has just rejoined Sporting KC after a six-week stint with the U.S. men’s national team.
Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler celebrated after a Lawrence Olum goal on July 19, 2014. Besler has just rejoined Sporting KC after a six-week stint with the U.S. men’s national team. Special to The Star

Sporting Kansas City will open the second half of its preseason schedule Wednesday, when it faces Colorado in the opening round of the Desert Diamond Cup. The match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., and it will be streamed live on the club’s website.

After a four-day break in Kansas City, the team returned to Tucson on Sunday to begin the second phase of training camp. Captain Matt Besler and goalkeeper Jon Kempin rejoined the team after spending the past six weeks with the United States men’s national team.

“We do have some new guys, especially in the back (of the defense), and I want to get to work. I want to get things sorted out,” Besler said while speaking to reporters Friday. “The last couple of years, we’ve had one of the best defenses in the league, and I want to make sure that this year, that’s the case again.”

Sporting KC will play four matches in the Desert Diamond Cup, including a Saturday tilt with Seattle.

To reach Sam McDowell, call 816-234-4869 or send email to smcdowell@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @SamMcDowell11.

This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Sporting KC to open against Colorado in Desert Diamond Cup exhibition."

Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER