Matt Besler misses Sporting KC practice with concussion, timetable for return unknown

The U.S. men’s national team will take the field Tuesday night without one of its defensive mainstays over the past two years.

Sporting Kansas City did the same for its training session Tuesday.

Matt Besler, the Sporting KC captain and U.S. national-team member, remained sidelined with a concussion that he suffered during the Americans’ practice last week.

He is currently in the MLS concussion protocol system. Although he told Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes he is not experiencing a headache, Besler has not yet passed the return-to-play tests.

“He’s good. He’s back. He’s fine,” Vermes said. “His head doesn’t hurt or anything like that.

“We haven’t done any tests with him at this point. We’re just leaving him be for a little while to let him rest.”

Besler was hit in the top of the head by a ball struck by Michael Bradley, Vermes said. The resulting injury prevented Besler from playing in the U.S. loss Friday in Guatemala.

He returned to Kansas City this weekend.

The length of his absence will be determined in the coming days. It would appear unlikely he will be ready to play Saturday, when Sporting KC plays host to Real Salt Lake at Children’s Mercy Park.

Vermes said Kevin Ellis and Ike Opara would be candidates to fill in for Besler at left central defender. Opara has not played since an Achilles’ rupture last April. Ellis started 26 games last season but has not yet appeared in a match this year.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Matt Besler misses Sporting KC practice with concussion, timetable for return unknown."