New York Red Bulls midfielder
Red Bulls midfielder Kljestan is longtime fan of Lions star Kaká
Sacha Kljestan idolizes Orlando City’s Kaká and has for years. Now he’s training alongside the Lions player on the MLS All-Star team.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sitting next to Kaká would be enough to make 15-year-old Sacha Kljestan kick himself, nevermind chatting over dinner and playing soccer with him.
“He’s a guy that I watched so much growing up, plays a similar position,” said Kljestan, now 30, a midfielder for the New York Red Bulls and leading Major League Soccer in assists with 12. “Idolizing him and now getting to know him off the field . . . and to be in training with some of the best players in the world and the best players in our league, it’s a pretty cool experience.
“When you get guys like Kaká and David Villa and Andrea Pirlo on the field together, you’re going to see some magic.”
Kljestan’s remarks made Kaká smile as they sat side by side at a press conference Tuesday afternoon representing the MLS All-Star team, which will take on Arsenal F.C. of the English Premier League in an exhibition match at 7:30 Thursday.
Dan Courtemanche, MLS’ executive vice president of communications, shared a similar story. Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe was on his flight to San Jose earlier this week and told Courtemanche, “You know, I’ve played against Kaká, but I’m looking forward to actually meeting the guy.”
Kaká will lead the team as captain for the second consecutive year, voted as the leader by fans despite having an injury-prone regular season and playing only 10 games out of 23 for Orlando City. Last year, he was named MVP of the All-Star game after scoring a goal and getting an assist during MLS’ 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The All-Star experience is just as rewarding for the Brazilian legend and former FIFA World Player of the Year as it is for those teammates praising him, Kaká said.
“I grew up in Brazil watching the All-Star games — NBA, NHL, baseball,”
“When we have a chance to spend some time together and we can understand and share some stories and experiences, it’s very good.” Orlando City star Kaká, on the MLS All-Star experience
he said. “Last year, I had a chance to play one game like this, and it was very good. When we have a chance to spend some time together and we can understand and share some stories and experiences, it’s very good.”
Stories of the past weren’t reserved for just the players as question after question was hurled at the panel of Kljestan, Kaká and All-Star coach Dominic Kinnear.
Kinnear, also head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, was born in Scotland but moved to the United States as a child.
He grew up in Fremont, Calif., and his accomplishments in soccer are expansive.
His professional playing career spanned 14 years and three countries.
He was one of the first players signed in MLS when he was allocated to the Colorado Rapids in 1996.
He earned 54 caps with the U.S. men’s national team.
But he, too, imagined himself as a little boy while sitting on stage facing media Tuesday, reminiscing about his days playing youth soccer on the San Jose State University athletic fields.
“I never thought at 7 years old, when I was making the trek back to Spartan Stadium way back in the day, that I’d be sitting here 42 years later, next to Kaká and Sacha Kljestan, getting ready to lead them in All-Stars,” Kinnear said. “It’s a complete honor to me, and I’m just really looking forward to the match.”