Sacha Kljestan and The United States Soccer Team

On the 24^th of January 2009, the United States Soccer team played a friendly game against Sweden at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

It was a great start for the United States Soccer team and one of its players, Sacha Kljestan, who is a midfielder and winger.

It appears that given the present situation, the United States Soccer team is growing.

The US defeated Sweden 3-2 in a game of nerves due to the three goals of Sacha Kljestan. It is with pleasure that I dedicate a profile to this player who has been no stranger to controversy.

Sacha Kljestan was born in Anaheim, California on the 9^th of September 1985 and started playing soccer at an early age. He started his career with the Region IV Olympic Development Program before playing with Seton Hall Pirates.

During his time with the Seton Hall Pirates, Sacha Kljestan was the first team All American, Big East Offensive Player of the Year for 2005, scored 20 goals, and made three NCAA Tournament Appearances.

Sacha Kljestan is a holder of more records, such as a single-season assists record of 15 in 2005 and 28 points to be ranked as a fifth all-time at the school with 28 during his career at Seton Hall.

His professional career started with the USL Team [in the Premier Development League] Orange County Blue Stars where he scored one goal in two appearances. He also eventually signed with the MLS Team Chivas USA and the United States Soccer Team.

He participated in the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and has also been training with Scottish giants Celtic.

While playing in the MLS, Kljestan earned a yellow card for a personal foul against Real Salt Lake Player Andy Williams which left him seriously injured.

Sacha Kljestan was later suspended for two games and received a fine of $1000.00 for his foul which "helped" Chivas USA to a 4-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.

[Personally, I would agree with the MLS that this was a red card given the nature of the injury and after reviewing articles and videos of the play.]

Regardless, Sacha Kljestan deserves praise for his decisive hat tricks which gave the United States its 3-2 victory over Sweden. It is also hoped that the US will be prepared for its upcoming game against Mexico. My best wishes to Sacha Kljestan and the national side.

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=390729

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070425&content_id=90408&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp