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Midfielder Sacha Kljestan to return to Chivas USA in 2009

February 5, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009) - Chivas USA today officially announced that midfielder Sacha Kljestan, U.S. Soccer's 2008 Young Male Athlete of the Year and Chivas USA's reigning team MVP, will return to the Red-and-White for the 2009 MLS season, which kicks off on March 21. The 23-year-old U.S. international and product of Huntington Beach, Calif., has been training with the U.S. National Team in Carson since last month. On Jan. 24, Kljestan scored a hat-trick for the U.S. against Sweden at The Home Depot Center, just two days after returning from a weeklong training stint in Glasgow with Scottish champions Celtic FC.

"I'm excited to play with Chivas again in front of my hometown family and friends and all the Chivas USA fans that have supported me since day one," said Kljestan, who is currently with the U.S. preparing for next Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. "I think we have a good nucleus as a team to create some really good things on the field and hopefully win a lot this year."

(For more of Kljestan's thoughts on returning to Chivas USA this season, watch his interview with Chivas USA TV here.)

"We are happy to have Sacha Kljestan back with us," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic. "Over the past three years Sacha has grown into an important contributor to our team. We look forward to watching him continue to grow as a player and as a leader during this important season."

A product of Huntington Beach High School and a first-round draft pick out of Seton Hall University (2006), Sacha Kljestan enjoyed a breakout year in 2008, his third season as a pro, earning MLS Best XI honors after leading Chivas USA in assists (7) and goals (5, tied) in 22 league matches played, while being named the club's 2008 MVP and Budweiser Golden Boot Winner.

On the international level, Kljestan was named U.S. Soccer's 2008 Young Male Athlete of the Year after representing his country at the Beijing Olympics, where he scored two goals in three matches for the U.S., including a strike against Holland that was voted U.S. Soccer's ‘Best Goal of 2008'. For the senior U.S. National Team, Kljestan has appeared in 13 matches since his 2007 debut, including four World Cup Qualifiers in 2008. On Jan. 24, 2009 he opened his international scoring account at the senior national team level with a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Sweden in an international friendly at The Home Depot Center.

Chivas USA kicks off its fifth campaign in Major League Soccer when its hosts the Colorado Rapids in an Opening Day match on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. For more information on Chivas USA season tickets, as well as the unbeatable All-Star five-game pack (starting at just $50), please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.



Major League Soccer Stories from February 5, 2009


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