Around the Kingdom: Graham Zusi and Matt Besler, Embiid tweets, Hosmer, Chiefs O-line

Jun 21, 2014; Manaus, BRAZIL; USA defender Matt Besler (left) and midfielder Graham Zusi lead lines of players through drills during training at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The US team’s strong showing through their first two World Cup games has helped raise the international profile of Sporting KC players Matt Besler and Graham Zusi. Besler was part of the defensive effort that contained superstar Cristiano Ronaldo most of the game. Graham Zusi has contributed an assist in each game. His pass to Clint Dempsey to score the go-ahead goal against Portugal was a thing of beauty.

For the first time, the United States looks like they belong at the international level.

Former Kansas center Joel Embiid drew fire from fellow Americans for his comments about the U.S./Portugal match on Sunday.

Zack Greinke returned to Kauffman stadium Monday night. The Royals hung 5 runs on their former ace on their way to a 5-3 win against the Dodgers—breaking their 4 game losing streak.

With no OTA’s or mini-camps going, Chiefs fans have little to do before training camp but speculate about how offseason changes will play out in the upcoming season.

SPORTING KC

• The Kansas City Star – John Sleezer writes about potential international opportunities for Sporting KC players Matt Besler and Graham Zusi after their performance in the World Cup:

"“The bottom line is we’re not just some bargain-basement shopping place where you can come and get in on a garage sale and find a guy,” Vermes said. “We have very good players here. We spend a lot of time investing a lot of time in those players. If (another team) wants them, they’re going to have to make a significant investment to us, if that were to ever transpire."

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

• KUSports.com – Gary Bedore reports that Joel Embiid drew ire for posting a shout out to Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo after his amazing last-second cross that salvaged a tie for Portugal
• Through the Phog – Stephen Brundage addresses what Joel Embiid’s foot injury has done to his draft stock:

"History proves that big men get hurt more often because of their height and weight and have greater difficulty recovering. Besides, with future All-Stars like Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker as draft options, the alternative choice for Cleveland isn’t exactly a bad one."

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

• Kings of Kauffman – David Hill talks about Zack Greinke’s return to Kauffman Stadium
• Royals Review – Max Rieper digs into advanced stats on Eric Hosmer‘s disappointing season
• The Kansas City Star – Lee Judge writes how a short inning by the Dodgers led to a 2-run rally against Grienke:

"Zack Greinke came back out to pitch with almost no time to catch his breath and started things off by hanging a slider to Salvador Perez. Salvy didn’t waste any time, he hit it over the left field fence."

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Arrowhead Addict – Ben Nielsen reports that former Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers is expected to sign this week
• Arrowhead Pride – Joel Thorman asks if the Offensive Line improved after numerous off-season changes:

"Because of all of those changes, I don’t have a sense of how good or bad the Chiefs offensive line can be. With all that movement I lean towards the line not being as good as they were last year. Considering they lost two of their best players in free agency (Branden Albert and Geoff Schwartz) it’s fair to say this line is not as talented as the 2013 group that gave up 39 sacks in 15 games to Alex Smith."

There you have it KC fans—the news Around the Kingdom.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article605905.html#storylink=cpy