HANOVER, N.J. – It was a rocky start to the season for Sacha Kljestan.
The New York Red Bulls’ marquee signing in an offseason defined by the departure of world stars, Kljestan – a USMNT and UEFA Champions League veteran with Anderlecht – was instantly thrust into the spotlight.
Now, with the Red Bulls having won four of their last five matches to jump into a tie with D.C. United atop the Eastern Conference standings, Kljestan finally feels at home.
Naturally a deep-lying midfielder, Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch has tasked Kljestan with a more advanced role up the pitch, and it’s beginning to seem like a stroke of genius. Since July 11, the 30-year-old has tallied an impressive four goals to go along with seven assists over his last nine league matches. Now playing as a pseudo No. 10, the rough transition that characterized the early stages of 2015 now seems like a distant memory.
“He’s really starting to hit his stride,” captain Dax McCarty stated. “He hit a little bit of lull there in the beginning of the season. He didn’t really have a break coming off his season with Anderlecht, but he’s really starting to get his second wind here. I think he’s just really understanding his role really well now.”
With that understanding comes an improved chemistry with the front four. No longer the fresh face within the team, Kljestan has had ample time to not only learn a new system, but also adapt to his teammates’ tendencies, strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s all about the relationships on the field,” Kljestan said. “My relationship with Bradley [Wright-Phillips] and [Mike] Grella and Lloyd [Sam] has really grown a lot. Early in the season I was the new guy, and I was trying to get on the same page with them. So building those relationships has paid dividends, and I’m growing in confidence in each game.”
Leading the team with 10 assists, Kljestan has had a knack for finding that killer final pass, notably linking up with last season’s Golden Boot winner Wright-Phillips with more regularity. Just a season removed from his record-setting 27-goal mark, there were doubts as to whether Wright-Phillips would maintain his scoring touch without the service of Thierry Henry. Now several months into the season, the forward applauded the adjustments and consistency he’s seen from Kljestan in recent matches.
“We work on staying close together on the field, and I think you can see it,” Wright-Phillips said. “He’s been instrumental [to our success], and I think it has to do with the positions we’re both picking up on the field and trying to build some chemistry.”
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While it may have been a surprise to some to see Kljestan in a new role, Marsch never wavered in his confidence that Kljestan would acclimate and become a leader. Despite the early struggles, it would appear that Marsch’s insistence is now paying off in spades.
“He full understands the expectations of what that [role] entails,” Marsch said. “When I brought him here, I envisioned him playing like this: very fluid, moving throughout the game, covering a lot of ground and being the brain of the team. Over time that’s continued to show, and he’s gotten better with that, so we’re pleased with where he’s at.”
