Sacha Kljestan

Sacha Kljestan: Belgium-bound (Photo courtesy Chivas USA). Coach Martin Vasquez acknowledged today that Chivas USA is in the market for a striker and attacking midfielder once the international transfer window opens in mid-July, just as star midfielder Sacha Kljestan gave a farewell news conference before heading Wednesday to Belgium's Anderlecht. . "We need someone who is going to make a difference, especially up top," Vasquez said, in something of a familiar refrain. General manager...Read Full Story

As was telegraphed all week long, Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan officially joined Belgium's Anderlecht today, the clubs announced. "I'm very excited and proud to be joining a club like Anderlecht, and I wouldn't be there to sign with them today if I hadn't been for Chivas USA. I'm thankful to everybody at Chivas USA, from the coaching staff, management, all the fans, and teammates over the years that have helped me mold into the player I am today," said Kljestan. "I'm ready to take...Read Full Story

Sacha Kljestan missed a penalty kick in second-half injury time, and Chivas USA settled for a 1-all draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Chivas (11-9-5) was awarded the penalty kick when Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens was whistled for a handball in the box by referee Alex Prus. With goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul diving the wrong way, though, Klejstan sent a low shot from the 12-yard spot barely wide of the left post. The draw left Chivas in a tie with Seattle for fourth in the...Read Full Story

By Dylan Butler / MLSnet.com - The answer to the trivia question is Edwin Aguilar. Not only is the Panamanian international the first player to score a goal in the CONCACAF Champions League, he's also the reason why Tauro FC heads to The Home Depot Center with a comfortable two-goal edge in their preliminary round series against Chivas USA. The 23-year-old struck for a brace, lifting the Panamanian side to a 2-0 win against Chivas USA on Tuesday night at Estadio Rod Carew just outside of...Read Full Story

Suarez' miss from the penalty spot. Photo by Scott Varley Game story. Box score. Here's Claudio Suarez on missing the first half penalty kick: "I feel bad for having missed it because it influenced the result. If I'd put it in it would have changed the game." Preki thought the "silly free kick" in the 23rd minute against Panchito Mendoza (it looked like a dangerous two-footed tackle on replays to me) that resulted in the tying goal was the "changing point" of the game: "They...Read Full Story

Chivas USA 1 Colorado Rapids 2 Photo by Scott Varley Brilliant save by the hirsute Colorado goalkeeper. Oh wait. Full disclosure: I skipped the game. In all, Chivas USA was without eight players today due to injury. Latest Chivas USA injury: Sasha Victorine suffered an apparent left knee sprain early in the first half and was replaced by Sacha Kljestan in the 25th minute. Victorine, who was acquired by Chivas USA Sept. 15, is scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday to determine the...Read Full Story

Kljestan hasn't signed a new MLS contract. He hasn't joined Glasgow Celtic. Yet Chivas USA was moved to confirm this evening that the club have "officially announced that midfielder Sacha Kljestan, U.S. Soccer's 2008 Young Male Athlete of the Year and Chivas USA's reigning team MVP, will return to the Red-and-White for the 2009 MLS season, which kicks off on March 21." O.K. That's good. Figured as much. The press release was apparently prompted by inquiries from (apparently worried...Read Full Story

New York goalie Bouna Coundoul gave up an own goal in the 47th minute and Chivas USA's Jesus Padilla sealed the win in second-half extra time in a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls on Saturday. Shortly after the start of the second half, Padilla sent a shot that deflected off Red Bulls defender Tim Ream. The ball hit the post and came toward Coundoul, who dove at the ball and knocked it across the goal line and into the net. New York (2-1-0) took its first loss of the season and Chivas (1-2-0...Read Full Story

Eduardo Lillingston scored in the 38th minute to give Chivas USA a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday night. Zach Thornton made three saves to earn his MLS-leading seventh shutout for Chivas USA (8-2-3), which snapped a three-game winless streak and extended the expansion Sounders' winless streak to six. Seattle dropped to 4-3-5. Lillingston scored after teammate Paulo Nagamura took a 7-yard shot that goalkeeper Kasey Keller blocked while sliding toward the left post. An...Read Full Story

Chivas USA announced its 20088 season award winners today. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan, 23, was named team MVP after his break-out season for club (and country). He's tied for the team lead in goals and leads the team in assists. Other award winners named by the club in a press release were: Claudio Surez, Chivas USA's Defender of the Year in 2006 and 2007, this year wins the Chivas Regal Award, for the player "who best represents the spirit of Chivas USA." Surez is succeeded as Defender...Read Full Story