June 14, 2010 A NEW CHAPTER Move to Anderlecht has Kljestan over World Cup disappointment
By Charles Cuttone Executive Editor
Sacha Kljestan is looking forward to “a new chapter in my life and a new beginning” with Anderlecht of Belgium. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
Sacha Kljestan is over the disappointment of not making the United States World Cup squad. For the 24-year-old midfielder, not making Bob Bradley’s squad is almost ancient history. Especially with what is awaiting him on the horizon, a transfer to one of Europe’s top clubs, Anderlecht of Belgium, and an opportunity to play in the Champions League.
“I am very excited. It’s a new chapter in my life and a new beginning,” he said of the transfer to Europe after playing the last four and a half seasons with Chivas USA. “Obviously with a very big club—historically been great, obviously, won the championship in Belgium last season, so the opportunity to play in Champions League is very big and I am excited about the new challenge.”
Kljestan, who was a member of the MLS Best XI in 2008 has been a big part of the National Team over the past several years, scoring two goals in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and being a member of the 2009 team that was the runner-up at the Confederations Cup. So not making the World Cup was a big disappointment after being on the preliminary roster of 30.
“I was disappointed and sad for about a week, and this came about and obviously it brightened my spirits. I am very excited and very happy right now,” he said. “When one door closed, which was me not making the World Cup team, another door opened, which was allowing me to make my transfer.”
Kljestan becomes the latest in a number of young MLS players transferring to Europe, and the second in a two-year span to leave Chivas after Brad Guzan went to Aston Villa in the summer of 2008, but the Huntington Beach native, who played college ball at Seton Hall, thinks this is just a part of the overall development of the league.
“I think we should look at it as a positive, especially for young players. I was fortunate to be playing week in and week out. Some other young players that go to Europe directly, they sit on the bench for a few years and never get games, then they come back to MLS when they are my age.
“Obviously playing in Europe had been a big factor in the elevation of the U.S. National Team on the world stage. Only four current MLS players are with the team in South Africa, but nearly a dozen other players have played in the league before going to Europe,”
“I think MLS is still becoming a better league every season and there’s a lot of good players here. I still think a lot of people in Europe underestimate us, but I think it is going to continue to grow and get better…I think this is a positive thing if you can see young players come in. They play week in and week out, they get experience and they get national team experience, and then they are ready to go play in Europe, so I think it’s a good thing.”
Kljestan is leaving a struggling Chivas USA team that has lost their last five straight on their way to a 3-8-0 record.
“From the team standpoint I feel very bad, because Chivas has had a bad streak lately, you know. Losing five games in a row is always tough, but, on a personal level, I am very excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to play in Champions League and contend for the championship in Belgium again.”
Kljestan has played in all but two of Chivas USA’s games this season, with a goal and two assists, leaving his career totals with the team at 114 games played, 15 goals and 33 assists, but his leaving the team and league at this point does not mean he may not add to those totals in the future.
“I think that I will play in MLS again one day for sure,” he said. “I don’t really have a plan as to how long I want to stay in Europe, but obviously I think my life, I want to have a family and stuff, will be here in the States, and I’d like to be able to finish my career by playing a few more years in MLS.”
