Klinsmann was watching after all, gives Kljestan another USA chance

MLS's leading assist man is back in U.S. camp, and with absences in Jurgen Klinsmann's midfield, he could prove himself on the field in key World Cup qualifiers.

Brian Straus | Aug 29, 2016

Klinsmann was watching after all, gives Kljestan another USA chance /

It turns out, Jurgen Klinsmann has been watching. He may have been doing so quietly and from a greater distance than Sacha Kljestan would have liked, but Monday it became clear that the New York Red Bulls midfielder’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.

With Michael Bradley suspended and Jermaine Jones ailing ahead of Friday’s crucial World Cup qualifier at St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Klinsmann has brought the versatile, often overlooked 30-year-old midfielder back into the national team fold. And this isn’t a courtesy call. Considering Kljestan’s form and availability issues elsewhere on the roster, he’ll likely be doing more than just putting on a U.S. jersey for the first time in more than two years. He’ll be getting it dirty as well.

Klinsmann’s increased effort to maintain stability within the national team has been slightly thwarted by circumstance. The manager intended to call in 21 of the 23 players who made up the Copa América Centenario for this month’s games, which will round out CONCACAF’s semifinal round of qualifiers. The U.S. (2-1-1) is in good shape to be one of the two teams that survives the Group C quartet, but it still probably needs four points, if not six, out of Friday’s game and the Sept. 6 finale against Trinidad & Tobago (3-0-1).

Klinsmann turns to USA's Copa core, recalls Morris for World Cup qualifiers

“We definitely think that the group that got fourth in the Copa América deserves a certain priority going on to the next World Cup qualifiers because they did tremendously well,” Klinsmann said in conjunction with Sunday’s roster release. “They deserve to come back and confirm what they did in the tournament in these upcoming, very important World Cup qualifiers.”

But then Clint Dempsey was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat and Gyasi Zardes was hurt late Saturday by a hard tackle from Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston. Jones, who’s been out with a knee injury since early July, flew to Florida from Denver to get looked at by U.S. coaches and staff. There's a chance he won't fly again to St. Vincent, and he's not expected to play. Meanwhile, sure-fire center back starter John Brooks now is out as well and will remain in Germany “with back issues,” U.S. Soccer said Monday.

Throw in Bradley’s one-game suspension, the result of yellow card accumulation, and there’s some significant continuity concerns as Friday approaches. Enter Kljestan, who now appears to be capitalizing on the versatility that may have hurt his international prospects in the past.

GALLERY: U.S. Soccer in 2016

U.S. Soccer in 2016: USMNT and USWNT year in photos

Klinsmann fired, replaced by Arena

Jurgen Klinsmann was fired after the USA's World Cup qualifying loss in Costa Rica, bringing an end to more than five years in charge. He was replaced by Bruce Arena, who returns to the bench after coaching the USA from 1998-2006.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, November 15

The dejected faces on Bobby Wood, left, and John Brooks say it all, as the U.S. drops to 0-2-0 in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal following a 4-0 loss and embarrassment at Costa Rica.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 13

Morgan Brian gets a congratulatory hug after her converted penalty kick, which helped the U.S. women close out 2016 with a 5-0 rout of Romania at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

USMNT vs. Mexico, November 11

Mexico players celebrate Rafa Marquez's late winner, which delivered a 2-1 triumph for El Tri over the USA to open the CONCACAF Hexagonal. It ended years of U.S. domination over Mexico in Columbus.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 10

Crystal Dunn congratulates Christen Press on one of her three goals as the USA handled Romania with ease, winning 8-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 23

Carli Lloyd gets a hearty welcome after scoring on a long-range blast to kick-start the U.S. in a 5-1 rout of Switzerland in Minneapolis.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 19

A new-look U.S. women's team routed Switzerland 4-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, with Samantha Mewis (3) at the center of the celebrations after scoring the final goal of four-goal second half.

USMNT vs. New Zealand, October 11

Julian Green is congratulated by captain Michael Bradley after scoring the opener, but the U.S. was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand in the last game before the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal kicks off.

USMNT vs. Cuba, October 7

Chris Wondolowski scored a goal and assisted on another, as the USA continued World Cup qualifying preparations by beating Cuba 2-0 in a historic friendly in Havana.

USWNT vs. Netherlands, September 18

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal that kicks off the scoring for the USA in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

U.S. women's national team co-captain Carli Lloyd happily signs autographs after scoring a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Thailand in Columbus, Ohio.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

Megan Rapinoe kneels for the national anthem ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match vs. Thailand, continuing her public protest in line with that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, September 6

Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan celebrate during a 4-0 win, which cemented the USA's place atop its World Cup qualifying group and a berth in the CONCACAF hexagonal.

Hope Solo's USWNT contract terminated

Following the USWNT's Olympic loss to Sweden, Hope Solo lashed out at the opposition, calling them "cowards" and drawing the ire of U.S. Soccer. The incident pushed the federation over the edge, and it terminated the goalkeeper's contract while suspending her six months–meaning any chance at reinstatement won't be possible until February.

USWNT vs. Sweden, August 12

The long and stunned faces say it all, as the U.S. women try to comprehend a penalty-kick loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. The 4-3 PK defeat after a 1-1 draw marked the earliest ouster for the U.S. women in a major competition ever.

USWNT vs. Colombia, August 9

Hope Solo lets a Catalina Usme free kick slip through her hands and legs in a shocking 2-2 draw. The USA still won its Olympic group despite the slip-up.

USWNT vs. France, August 6

Carli Lloyd scores the only goal in a 1-0 win over a stout France side to punch the USA's ticket to the knockout stage at the Olympics.

USWNT vs. New Zealand, August 3

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal in the USA's 2-0 win over New Zealand in their opening match of group play at the Olympics. Alex Morgan doubled the USA's lead in the second half.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, July 22

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd celebrate an easy 4-0 win, which sent the U.S. on its way to Rio with an unbeaten record in 2016.

USWNT vs. South Africa, July 9

Hope Solo salutes the crowd after posting the 100th clean sheet of her career in a 1-0 win in Chicago. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 25

For a second time at Copa America, the USA falls to Colombia, with Carlos Bacca's goal the difference in a 1-0 result in the third-place match in Arizona.

USMNT vs. Argentina, June 21

Lionel Messi converts an incredible free kick to punctuate a dominant performance for Argentina against the USA in the Copa America semifinals.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, June 16

Goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes share a celebratory hug with Matt Besler in the Copa America quarterfinals, where the Americans held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the semis.

USMNT vs. Paraguay, June 11

Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal in a 1-0 win over Paraguay, which secured the USA's place in the Copa America knockout stage.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, June 7

Bobby Wood caps a dominating first half for the USA in a must-win game vs. Costa Rica in Chicago at Copa America. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi also scored.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 5

Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn defends as the U.S. bounces back to shut out Japan 2-0 in a rain-shortened friendly in Cleveland.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 3

James Rodriguez beats Brad Guzan from the penalty spot in Colombia's 2-0 win over the USA to open Copa America Centenario.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 2

Lindsey Horan heads the USA in front to cap a comeback from two goals down, but the Americans conceded in extra time to 10-woman Japan, settling for a 3-3 draw.

USMNT vs. Bolivia, May 29

Christian Pulisic scores his first international goal in the USA's 4-0 win over Bolivia in a final tune-up for Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored twice, and John Brooks added one of his own in the triumph.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, May 25

Darlington Nagbe is hugged by Christian Pulisic after his 90th-minute volley delivers a 1-0 victory for the USA in a pre-Copa America friendly.

USMNT vs. Puerto Rico, May 22

Tim Ream scores the opening goal in the USA's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the first meeting between the two sides. Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola scored as well.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 10

Julie Johnston, left, is mobbed after one of her two goals in a 3-0 USA win at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 6

Allie Long, left scores twice, and five other players score as well in a 7-0 rout of Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Christian Pulisic, 17, makes his U.S. debut in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, becoming cap-tied to the USA. He was otherwise eligible for Croatia.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate during a thorough 4-0 World Cup qualifying win, putting the USA's campaign back on track after the setback in Guatemala.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 25

There was no way through for DeAndre Yedlin and the USA during a 2-0 loss in Guatemala in what was a stunning setback in the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The USWNT celebrates the inaugural SheBelieves Cup title after beating European powers England, France and Germany in succession.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The U.S. celebrates Alex Morgan's equalizer vs. Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in Boca Raton, Florida. Samantha Mewis's winner a few minutes later cemented the Americans' overall triumph in the competition.

USWNT vs. France, March 6

Alex Morgan scores the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over France in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

USWNT vs. England, March 3

Crystal Dunn is mobbed after her game-winning goal kicks off the SheBelieves Cup in a 1-0 triumph in Tampa Bay, Florida.

USWNT vs. Canada, February 21

Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal that helps the USA to a 2-0 win over Canada and a first-place finish in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, February 19

Alex Morgan celebrates one of her three goals that helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the 2016 Olympics after a 5-0 triumph in Houston.

USWNT vs. Puerto Rico, February 15

Crystal Dunn scores one of her five goals, tying a single-game U.S. record in a 10-0 rout to close group play in Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Mexico, February 13

The U.S. needed a penalty kick from Carli Lloyd to beat Mexico 1-0 in the second match of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, February 10

Alex Morgan scores the fastest goal in U.S. history, netting 12 seconds into the USWNT's Olympic qualifying campaign and sending the Americans on their way to a 5-0 win.

USMNT vs. Canada, February 5

Jozy Altidore heads in the winner to secure a 1-0 win over Canada at StubHub Center to cap the annual winter training camp.

USMNT vs. Iceland, January 31

Steve Birnbaum heads in a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Iceland in the opening match of the year.

USWNT vs. Ireland, January 23

17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores on her debut, helping cap a 5-0 win for the USA to open the year. Carli Lloyd led the way with a hat trick, and Alex Morgan scored as well in San Diego.

Kljestan has been capped 46 times, but only 11 of those U.S. appearances have come since Klinsmann took over in 2011. That’s despite the midfielder’s four-plus year stay in Belgium, where he helped Brussels power Anderlecht to three league titles and multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League’s group stage. Klinsmann said he wanted U.S. players to test themselves at the highest level. There was Kljestan doing just that, winning championships and playing in European tournaments, but the coach didn’t seem interested shortly after taking over. That prompted the now-infamous, “12/12 points in Europa League and qualification for the knockout stages. Well done boys! Are you even watching???” tweet in November 2011.

A few months later, Kljestan expressed some regret, saying, “I don’t want to be the guy who’s the sh**, who’s acting like I have a big ego, like I deserve something better. It just came up in a moment of frustration after so many good results, so many good performances. But I think my attitude got better after that moment of frustration.”

He added, "I’m just going to keep working until I do get a good chance with the national team and then make the most of it.”

He played mostly in a defensive or holding role with Anderlecht, doing the sort of “dirty work” that “doesn’t always get recognized,” he said. He appeared four times as a U.S. substitute in 2012 and finally got to start a few games toward the end of 2013. Performances were middling, and his last shot at the World Cup team came in a March 2014 friendly against Ukraine. Kljestan was behind Kyle Beckerman in defensive midfield, wasn’t going to unseat Bradley or Jones and found the likes of Mix Diskerud, Alejandro Bedoya and Graham Zusi preferred in more attacking spots. Kljestan was a decathlete—good at everything but not so outstanding in any particular role. When the World Cup ended, he appeared to be on the wrong side of the turning page.

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Then he hooked up with New York Red Bulls. Coach Jesse Marsch relies heavily on Kljestan’s experience, intelligence and ability to cover ground to turn New York’s frenetic press into offensive opportunities. And the former Anderlecht grinder has thrived, helping the Red Bulls to the 2015 Supporters' Shield with eight goals and 14 assists and then to within three points of this year’s Eastern Conference lead with five goals and a lead-leading, club-record 15 helpers. He was an All-Star and now, finally, is headed back to U.S. camp.

“If you value performance in the league, if you look at the year-and-a-half that Sacha’s had in that position and the fact he’s been on one of the better teams and he’s been so essential and performed at such a high level—I don’t see how he’s not considered,’’ Marsch told the New York Post last month. “For me, he deserves a look. … Based on where he is now he deserves to be on the national team.”

Kljestan has been nothing but diplomatic since his 2011 outburst. He’s been asked about his national team absence many times, but he now answers those questions with his play.

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“I try not to think about it too much. My sole focus is for the Red Bulls to get their first MLS Cup,’’ Kljestan told the Post. “In the back of my mind I always hope for one more chance play in the national team jersey. If I do, I’ll be ready.”

And he was. New York defeated the New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon and then later that evening, just before midnight, the Red Bulls were contacted by U.S. Soccer. It was the first such contact in a long time. By Monday morning, Kljestan was on a flight, preparing to help the Americans reach the next round of qualifying.

He’d be a good fit behind strikers Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood or as a shuttler between Beckerman and someone like Bedoya or Darlington Nagbe. Kljestan has proven he can adapt and play complex roles. And Klinsmann has demonstrated that, no matter how quiet he is or how long it’s been, he’s always watching.

Published Aug 29, 2016

BRIAN STRAUS

A lifelong soccer player, coach and fan, Brian Straus joined SI in 2013 after covering the sport for The Washington Post, AOL and Sporting News.