Los Angeles Galaxy right fullback Chris Klein is the consummate professional. When he arrived in southern California last season, he was thrust into the back line due to an injury to Chris Albright. Despite the fact that he was playing out of position, Klein never once complained.
Since taking over at right back, Klein hasn't missed a single game. In fact, Klein hasn't missed a single game in nearly three years -- a relatively unheard of streak for a field player.
On Saturday, so long as he stays healthy this week in training, Chris Klein will start is 94th consecutive game, breaking Kevin Hartman's record. He's achieved this milestone quietly, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows Klein. The Galaxy said the club was unaware of the record until the Elias Sports Bureau contacted them.
"It's one of things that you're proud of. I just thank God for being healthy for this amount of time," said Klein. "You try to stay consistent, and try to be a good pro and do your work as best you can."
Klein, not known to be a vocal leader, is definitely the type to lead by example both on and off the field. In training, Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit will often pull Klein aside, along with Landon Donovan and David Beckham, to have mini-meetings. The Dutchman certainly feels that Klein is one of his team's leaders.
"He's one of the leaders on the team and he lives by example," said Gullit. "He's a very good guy. He's an easy guy to work with. He loves people that work hard and that's good."
On a club that has such a unique mixture of veteran players and very young players, having a player like Klein on the field in training and in the locker room is invaluable. For any young guy on the squad trying to learn how to be a pro, they need look no further than Klein's example.
"He's Mr. Professional. He's always getting treatment and taking care of his body on and off the field," said Alan Gordon. "He's an awesome pro and it shows. It shows. If I had a team I'd want him starting on it, that's for sure."
Gordon was also teammates with the man that Klein is currently tied with for the durability mark. Hartman was a member of the Galaxy when he set the record a couple of seasons ago. Between the two of them, they have painted a clear picture on what it takes to have longevity in this league.
"Kevin (Hartman) was a good professional as well. He always came to play, just like Chris (Klein) does," said Gordon. "Those are just two guys that you have to look at and try to emulate what they do."
Barring a freak occurance, Klein will set the all -time MLS record for consecutive starts on Saturday. Though he wouldn't reveal the rest of his lineup, or tactics, Gullit guarantees that Klein will be on the field this weekend. If things hold true to form, Klein will leave everything he has on the field and move on to the next game. That's just the type of player that he is.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
