Kljestan's presence makes difference
Chivas USA missed the young star against FCD on Sunday
Now that the Huntington Beach product has served his one-match ban, Kljestan is anxious to get back on the field. That it's the rival Los Angeles Galaxy awaiting only adds to his excitement.
"I always think about the Galaxy because I always feel that I have my good games when I play against the Galaxy. It's something I always get up for," Kljestan said. "I don't enjoy beating anybody else better than I enjoy beating the Galaxy."
Kljestan picked up a red card in a 4-3 loss to Columbus on April 12. He will enter Saturday's match against the Galaxy with two goals and two assists to his credit.
Without him in the lineup, Chivas USA's offense struggled. The midfield lacked Kljestan's vision and passing ability and Chivas USA was shut out for the first time this season.
Kljestan will likely play a key role on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he could be responsible for marking one of the Galaxy's key players.
"We know it's going to be a tough game. They've done OK so far. They've improved a little bit," Kljestan said. "They have got some pretty good players -- obviously guys like Landon (Donovan) and David Beckham are guys you have to keep an eye out for."
Beckham's set piece ability is an ever-present danger and will be something Kljestan said he and his teammates will need to be aware of throughout the match.
"Once we get inside 40 yards, we've got to be smart to not give up everything. That's his forte. We can't be giving up so many free kicks that he's delivering balls in the box right into our area and [goalkeeper] Brad [Guzan] is left in no man's land," Kljestan said. "We've got to make them outplay us if they're going to beat us. We've got to make them play to our tempo."
The Galaxy's attack thus far this season has revolved around Beckham and Donovan. The former has a goal and three assists, the latter leads the league with five goals. In their four games, the Galaxy have six goals as the duo's teammates have contributed zero goals and three assists.
Chivas USA, though, needs to do better against the Galaxy's standouts then the club has done in the first four games of the season.
"I don't think we've done a good job (against) the big players we've played against," Kljestan said. "When we played against Real Salt Lake, we said he had to be tough against (Kyle) Beckerman and (Javier) Morales and they had decent games and (against Columbus) we said (Robbie) Rogers and (Guillermo Barros) Schelotto and those guys killed us."
Additionally, Kenny Cooper had a goal and Arturo Alvarez an assist against Chivas USA on Sunday.
One thing that would help Chivas USA contain Beckham is some tight marking. With Kljestan in the midfield, it's possible he will be faced with that particular task.
"When you give Beckham time and space, he's going to serve the perfect ball and he's going to kill you with that," Kljestan said. "If I'm matched up against Beckham -- and who knows if I am? -- I think I've got to be close to him."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
