Matt Besler called up to U.S. national team for World Cup qualifiers

Matt Besler will spend Sporting Kansas City's bye week with the U.S. men's national team.

Besler was named to the U.S. roster for its two World Cup qualifiers this month. The Americans will travel to face Guatemala on Friday and return home to host Guatemala in Columbus on March 29.

Sporting KC does not play a match next week.

"I'm excited and honored to join the U.S. men's national team for two very important World Cup qualifiers," Besler said in a statement. "With Copa America also on the horizon, it will be important for us to improve as a team and win these games."

Besler, 29, has made 31 career appearances with the national team.

The U.S. is competing in the CONCACAF semifinal round of World Cup qualifying, during which teams compete in a home-and-away, round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the final World Cup qualifying round.

The Americans' top tournament competition in 2016 will be Copa America, a 16-team tournament held in the United States from June 3-26.

Besler will rejoin Sporting KC for its match against Real Salt Lake on April 2.

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Matt Besler called up to U.S. national team for World Cup qualifiers."