No Other Home Living, Leading, and Learning What Matters Most

by Besler, Matt; Regan, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9781449479770
• ISBN10: 1449479774
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2017-11-07
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Summary

No Other Home is a themed collection of inspirational stories, poignant moments, and life advice from midwestern boy-next-door, Matt Besler, who has made it to the elite level of playing internationally in the World Cup. No other country; no other club; no other home; no other story.
 

Sporting Kansas City captain Matt Besler has achieved something extraordinary in the least extraordinary way. At every level of his athletic career, Besler has heard the same questions and initial dismissal of his talent. Even as he made his slow, steady progression into the consciousness of his coaches, opponents, and fans, then onto the national and world soccer stage, he heard it still. How does a normal guy like Matt Besler end up playing in the World Cup, one of the most exclusive competitions in international sports?
If it’s true that he’s a rather typical Midwestern guy, it’s also true that Matt happens to be one of the best soccer players in the country. Professional soccer is a bastion for the flamboyant—the lifestyles, the hairstyles, the WAGs, the passionate fans—yet Matt has flourished as the anti-flamboyant. He is preternaturally calm. He is stalwart. He is relentlessly committed to his preparedness and his athletic success. Matt Besler may seem to be Mr. Average, but it is this very characteristic that has made him exceptional.
No Other Home offers an honest, first-person perspective into exactly what it takes to reach the highest levels of the sporting world. Matt shares his stories—from
growing up in a loving but fiercely competitive family, to climbing through the ranks of high school, club, and college athletics, to dealing with injuries and professional
setbacks, and even to his own rather extraordinary experience of becoming a father. The poignant lessons he’s learned so far hold value for soccer fans and nonfans
alike. This is a book to be shared among family members, young and old. And for parents looking for positive influences in professional athletics, they will find no better
role model than Matt.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the nonprofit charity, the BESLER FAMILY FOUNDATION.

Author Biography

Sporting Kansas City captain and defender Matt Besler has played eight seasons at his hometown club. He has earned MLS Best XI (2012, 2013), MLS All-Star (2011, 2013-16), MLS Defender of the Year (2012) and MLS Breakout Player of the Year (2012) honors and was named the 2014 KC Sportsman of the Year by the Kansas City Sports Commission.
His 239 appearances for Sporting KC in all competitions lead the current roster and rank fifth most all-time. A regular staple of the team’s backline, he has started 207 of his 213 MLS appearances (including playoffs) and has landed Sporting KC Defender of the Year honors four times (2011-13, 2015).
Besler has earned 39 caps for the United States Men’s National Team since debuting in January 2013, recording one goal and one assist. He was on the U.S. roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil alongside teammate Graham Zusi, becoming the first Kansan to play in the World Cup. He started all four matches in the tournament as the U.S. finished Group G runners-up behind eventual champion Germany and advanced to the Round of 16. He helped lead the U.S. to the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup title, starting all three matches in the knockout stage. He scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifying win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in September 2016. Besler was named to the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2016 Copa America Centenario. He helped the US advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1995.
He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, receiving All-American and Academic All-American honors as a senior. He currently lives in Leawood, KS with his wife, Amanda, and his daughter, Parker (who was born the day Matt scored his first international goal).

Patrick Regan has never scored a goal in his life but has written a whole lot of published books in a variety of non-fiction categories. Learn more at patrickreganbooks.com.