Yet another member of the US national team is returning to Major League Soccer, as Sacha Kljestan became the fourth US international to sign with Major League Soccer this offseason when he joined the New York Red Bulls via the Allocation Rankings on Wednesday.
Kljestan was under contract with Belgian side Anderlecht through the end of the 2015-'16 European season, but the Red Bulls came to terms with the club on a transfer deal. He is expected to join the Red Bulls for preseason training in Orlando, where the team will be based until February 6.
“This was an extremely complicated transaction that we worked on over the last few weeks,” RBNY Sporting Director Ali Curtis said in a club statement. “There were multiple variables that needed to be managed during the process. Ultimately, we were able to reach a point where we could bring Sacha aboard. I am elated to have Sacha join the club. We are confident that he will have a positive impact on the field, in the community, and with our fans.”
The California native follows Brek Shea (Orlando City), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC) and Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) as US national-team players to sign with MLS this offseason, following a growing trend that was highlighted by the returns of Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) in 2013 as well as Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) and Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union) prior to the 2014 campaign.
Kljestan, who will not turn 30 until Sept. 9, has played with Anderlecht since a 2010 transfer from Chivas USA. Because Kljestan is a returning US international (and because his move to Europe included a transfer fee), his destination was determined by the MLS Allocation Rankings. The Red Bulls acquired the No. 1 allocation spot on Tuesday in a trade with the Montreal Impact.
Traditionally a central midfielder who can attack or play box-to-box, Kljestan joins a Red Bulls central midfield expected to include veteran Dax McCarty, recently acquired Felipe and first-year players Sean Davis and Leo Stolz, in addition to returning reserves Michael Bustamante and Ian Christianson.
"Sacha is a great player with tremendous experience," RBNY head coach Jesse Marsch said in the club statement. "We feel that he is a great addition to our roster. He fits into the style of soccer that we want to play, but more importantly he is a man with tremendous character. We are excited to add him to the club and feel that his presence will pay dividends both on the field and in the locker room."
In his career, Kljestan has made 46 appearances for the US national team at the senior level, scoring four goals. Kljestan was named to the rosters for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship (now the U-20 World Cup), the 2007 Copa América, the 2008 Olympics, the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but he failed to make the World Cup rosters in 2010 and 2014. He made just one USMNT appearance in 2014.
Although Kljestan had repeatedly been linked with a return to the LA Galaxy and has been a rumored target of several other MLS teams, the move to the Red Bulls is still a homecoming of sorts. Kljestan played in New Jersey for Seton Hall University from 2003-05 and will be reunited with Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch, who played with Kljestan at Chivas USA from 2006-09. Kljestan took over as the Chivas captain after Marsch retired.
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A finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2006 and an MLS Best XI selection in 2008, Kljestan produced 15 goals and 33 assists in 114 regular-season games for Chivas USA from 2006-10, including 27 assists in his first three seasons. Kljestan helped Chivas USA to four consecutive playoff appearances, including a first-place finish in the Western Conference in 2007.
With Anderlecht, Kljestan scored on his debut in UEFA Champions League qualifying in July 2010 and saw consistent minutes while helping the club to consecutive Belgian Pro League titles in each of the last three seasons. With the club regularly qualifying for European competition, Kljestan played in 20 UEFA Champions League games and scored three goals in the tournament.
He registered a career-high eight goals in league play in 2013-14 and has four goals and two assists in all competitions this season. Just one week ago, Kljestan scored twice in a Cofidis Cup quarterfinal to help Anderlecht advance.
