Besler sidelined with concussion

Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler returned from the U.S. national team Sunday after suffering a concussion (or a concussion-like incident) in training prior to the match in Guatemala.

Besler has not trained since returning. "He’s doing okay, he going through the (concussion) protocol," Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes stated after practice. "They are trying to make sure they know what it is with him, I think they think it is a concussion but I am not sure. They are doing what they need to do to make sure. He is back, his head doesn’t hurt or anything like that. They are just going through the protocol at the moment."

Vermes does not know how long it will be before Besler will return.

What happened?

According to Vermes, a ball was bouncing and Besler was trying to get there to clear it out but realized he was not going to get there in time and stopped. His team mate on the national team Michael Bradley hit a half volley but Besler could not get out of the way. Matt put his head down and was hit right in the upper forehead area.

If Besler misses a match?

Either Ike Opara or Kevin Ellis will fill in for Besler if he cannot play in the next match. Ellis seems the most likely starter next to Nuno Coelho. The homegrown defender started 26 matches last season and 16 the season before to replace the injured Opara.

While Opara is training fully, Vermes is trying to be extremely cautious with the oft-injured center back and he has not started or been on the bench yet this season.