Matt Besler wants to make one thing clear: his commitment to the US men's national team should never be in doubt.
The Sporting Kansas City central defender has been at the forefront of a recent debate over the USMNT's fitness levels, which started after head coach Jurgen Klinsmann asserted that some of his players who participated in the team's January camp in Carson, California, weren't fit enough for the international matches scheduled.
The USA gave up two second-half goals in a 3-2 loss to Chile and then came back to defeat Panama 2-0. Besler went the full 90 minutes in both matches.
In response to the discussion that erupted over player fitness, which Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes had some strong opinions about, Besler noted that his goal following a grueling 2014 campaign was to be in peak condition by March 1, a week ahead of Sporting's 2015 season opener against the New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET; Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes).
“That’s when my season starts," he told reporters last week. "It goes from March to December."
“If the expectation is different, "that’s something that needs to be discussed so we know going into a camp where we need to be.”
Klinsmann attempted to clarify his stance by tweeting on Monday that, "All players need to ALWAYS be prepared 100% to represent the USA!", and now Besler has also issued a statement of his own to Fox Soccer reiterating that commitment:
"It's frustrating that any of my comments would be taken to imply that my commitment to the National Team is anything but absolute," he told Fox Soccer. Like the rest of our team, I take a tremendous amount of pride in representing our country and giving 100 percent every time I step on the field. Having a professional approach is something I take very seriously.
"After a long season I took a much-needed three-week break, and then began the process of preparing for the January camp as I have for the past three years. Playing for the United States is always an honor, and I appreciate the opportunity. Thanks for your continued support."
