Behind The Maroon And Mandarin: Gordon Kljestan
March 11, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Growing up in the Kljestan household, playing soccer was almost inevitable. The game is somewhat of a family tradition, and New Jersey Ironmen defender Gordon Kljestan has done his part to keep that legacy strong.
"I had a soccer ball in my crib when I was a baby," Kljestan remarked. "As soon as I could walk, I was kicking around a ball."
Gordon's father, Slavko, played professional soccer in his native Yugoslavia before moving to the United States at the age of 22. Gordon grew up in Huntington Beach, California, and he spent his whole life playing alongside his favorite teammate- his younger brother, Sacha.
"My brother is my best friend," Gordon said. "He played with us older guys growing up, and that helped him to play at a higher level."
While playing at Huntington Beach High School, Gordon was selected to the All-Sunset League First Team, All-Orange County First Team and All-California Interscholastic Federation Second Team as a senior. After high school graduation, he decided to play college soccer at nearby Cal State-Fullerton. He red shirted in 2002 before starting 19 games for the Titans the next year. Following that season, Gordon took a trip to the east coast to visit Seton Hall University where Sacha had just been named the Freshman Male Athlete of the Year.
"I went to visit Seton Hall, and I fell in love with the place," Gordon recollected. "It was an easy decision to play for a world-renown coach in Manfred Schnellscheidt, and I also knew it would be a great place to get a degree."
With the Kljestan brothers back together, the family tradition was once again in full-force. With Sacha controlling the midfield and Gordon patrolling the defensive backfield, the duo led the Pirates to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances including a second round game in 2005. Following that season, Gordon received All-Big East accolades, and Sacha received his second consecutive All-America selection. The brothers also kept the legacy strong that year by playing in the USL Premier Development League with the Ocean County Blue Star.
"Sacha was my roommate in college so we got to spend a lot of time together," Gordon commented. "When playing, I generally see him as a teammate. When I see him involved in a challenge, then he becomes my brother, and I've got his back."
Gordon again earned All-Big East honors following his senior season. After receiving his degree in Sports Management from Seton Hall, he was drafted tenth overall in the 2006 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy. Keeping with the family tradition, Sacha was taken sixth overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA.
"It was pretty exciting when I realized that I was going to play in the same city as my brother," Gordon stated. "I was extremely happy to get the chance to move on with my career, as well as the chance to prove myself."
It was at a combine conducted by Chivas USA that New Jersey Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi got his first look at Gordon.
"The first thing I noticed about Gordon was his soccer intelligence," Namazi remarked. "He looked very comfortable on the ball, and he reminded me of players in this league that quarterback teams out of the back. Once I found out he was a Seton Hall graduate, I knew he was a good match for this team."
Gordon decided that playing for the Ironmen would be a good move, and he quickly found he had the right person to teach him the indoor game.
"I was able to pick up the game not only from listening to Omid, but from watching him play," Gordon said. "He taught me the importance of good positioning and putting myself in good spots."
As long as Gordon is on the field, the Ironmen find themselves positioned in a good spot as well. While he patrols the defensive backfield for New Jersey, Sacha prepares to lock down another season in the Chivas USA midfield. After all, it's a family tradition.
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The Ironmen (12-12), currently sitting in the sixth and final spot for the MISL playoffs, host the Chicago Storm (14-11) this Saturday at Prudential Center with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. Gordon commented on some aspects the team needs to focuses upon to ensure a solid finish to the regular season.
"We need to be more consistent on defense," Klejstan stated. "We need to focus on keeping teams under 12 points and stress the importance of winning our remaining home games."
This Saturday night contest will be "Dance Team Photo Night" at Prudential Center where fans will receive a free dance team autograph card. Tickets can be purchased today by calling 1-800-IRONMEN!
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 11, 2008
- Behind The Maroon And Mandarin: Gordon Kljestan - New Jersey Ironmen
- Chicago Storm Weekly - Chicago Storm
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