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Sporting KC defender Matt Besler recaps his unforgettable, life-changing 48 hours

The text came in late Thursday afternoon, with its urgency marked by a series of capital letters.

“CALL ME ASAP,” it read.

Matt Besler stood on a soccer field in St. Vincent, training with the United States men’s national team for a World Cup qualifying match the following day, when his phone buzzed. A half hour later, as he read the message from his wife, he knew its meaning.

The couple’s first baby, daughter Parker Rhea, was on the way — more than a week before its Sept. 12 due date.

“I got that feeling in my stomach,” Besler said.