For Sacha Kljestan, 2006 was a learning process. The fifth overall pick in the 2006 SuperDraft, Kljestan learned all about being a professional soccer player.
This year, the learning has continued both on and off the field. Kljestan served the second of a two-game suspension against D.C. United and is eligible to play on Saturday at Columbus.
Kljestan was slapped with the two-match ban after a rough challenge on Real Salt Lake's Andy Williams on April 21. The second-year man missed games against the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 28 and Sunday's match in D.C. Sitting out a pair of games was difficult, Kljestan said.
"There is nothing worse," Kljestan said. "I remember just sitting in the stands (during the Galaxy game) and telling people I was sitting with that this is the worst game to miss just because it's the Clasico and the rivalry game. It's always big for me to play against the Galaxy."
Compounding matters for Kljestan was the midfield's play. Against the Galaxy, Chivas USA coach Preki took out starter Amado Guevara in the 56th minute and days later banished him from the team. Right back Alex Zotinca moved to right midfield to help compensate for Kljestan's absence.
Watching the Super Clasico from the stands was difficult for Kljestan, particularly because he said he felt he could have made a difference on the field.
"We looked a little undisciplined in the game against the Galaxy and I wish I could have been out there to help my team," Kljestan said. "By the way we looked early on, it didn't look too good and I felt if I was out there I could have helped the team."
For 90 minutes, Chivas USA fought in vain to try and master the Galaxy. When the club fell behind after just eight minutes, Chivas USA battled to try and overcome a deficit that was ultimately too far out of reach.
Worse than losing was having no control over any part of the game, Kljestan said.
"It [stinks] knowing that you should be out there but you can't. I was disappointed that I didn't get to help the team," he said. "Even when I'm injured or not playing, I hate watching my own team play with me not out there because I love being on the field."
On Friday, Chivas USA traded for Paulo Nagamura and the former Toronto FC midfielder immediately started. His physical presence helped give Chivas USA a new wrinkle in their midfield.
But without Kljestan and Guevara, Preki used a three-man midfield as he went with Ante Razov, John Cunliffe and Maykel Galindo up front with Francisco Mendoza and Jesse Marsch alongside Nagamura in the midfield.
The series of events that led to Kljestan's ban was touched off when Williams scooped up a loose ball and took off on a counterattack in the RSL-Chivas USA match on April 21. Down 3-0, Williams tried to spark some offense but Kljestan had other thoughts.
Kljestan dived in an attempt to stop Williams' counterattack. He did, but he flattened Williams in the process. The RSL midfielder was carted off the field into the locker room and initially feared to have broken his leg. Instead, Williams was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and was ruled out of action for 4-8 weeks.
For his part, Kljestan said he has not changed his opinion about the play.
"I still feel it was a bad tackle and something that shouldn't happen in a soccer game," he said.
Kljestan said he found a bit of good news in the whole process when he learned that Williams had not broken his leg.
"I'm glad it wasn't broken. I'm glad he can come back in a couple more weeks because he's a good player in this league. I respected him over the years playing with him," Kljestan said. "I'm glad I didn't take time away from his season too much. It's still four weeks but it's better than four months or something like that. I'm happy he's doing OK and hopefully he gets back on the field soon."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
