Chivas' Kljestan finds form at right time
Midfielder looks to continue resurgence Thursday against Fire
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Most recently, he set up both of Chivas USA goals against San Jose to secure a crucial point at home for the Red-and-White.
"I think I've been playing really well lately, on and off the ball," said Kljestan. "The team hasn't lost in six games and it's going well."
Kljestan endured a tough start to the year, failing to score in the first five months of the season. While Chivas USA was getting off to the best start in club history (9-1-3 in its first 13 games), Kljestan was struggling to find the form that saw him selected as part of the MLS Best XI in 2008.
But while his personal numbers might not have been great in the season's opening weeks, Kljestan is happy with the team's early success and is confident in his recent form.
"I don't really like when people say that I was gone for the whole season and now I'm back," he said. "The team did well. And sure, I didn't score any goals during the first half of the season, but the second half I have felt a lot better."
Kljestan notched his first goal on Aug. 22, against visiting Toronto FC. He scored his second in the same match.
"The first goal I scored this season was quite lucky," said Kljestan. "The ball just bounced right at my shins and I tapped it into the goal. Once you score a couple of goals, you feel more confident in your dribbling, your playing, your passing, and your moving. I hope more goals come."
Much of Kljestan's confidence came from the support of his Chivas USA teammates, who helped the young third-year player find his way back to form.
"The veterans that have been around stuck by my side and told me that they tought I was still an important player on the team,'" said Kljestan. "Even the young guys told me not to worry about it and that my goals would come. And that once they did, more would flow in.
"They've been flowing in lately," he continued. "The guys stuck by my side and the coaches stuck by my side; I can't complain. I have good guys around me and that shows that we're a good team."
Another motivating factor for Kljestan was his desire to play in next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The midfielder had been included in the U.S. national team squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, but was dropped from the squad for the team's final qualifying matches this fall.
"I need to get back to a confident level and a consistent level to be on the national team," said Kljestan. "Lately, I've been playing really well. I feel like I'm close to being back within the national team. Hopefully [national team manager] Bob [Bradley] recognizes that and brings me back. I think I've been doing what I can."
Kljestan will look to continue his resurgence Thursday, as Chivas USA travels to Chicago to face the Fire. The team will then return home for its last game of the season against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday at The Home Depot Center.
It's a busy week, but nothing Kljestan can't handle. Besides, if he needs a quick break, he can relax by playing FIFA 10, the brand new soccer video game from EA Sports that features him on the cover. It was released Tuesday.
"It's cool," said Kljestan with a smile. "My brother and I can finally play the game. It'll be fun."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com
