Sacha Kljestan -- World Traveler.
Just one month after spending time with the U.S. Olympic team in China, Kljestan joined the U.S. national team for a World Cup qualifier in Guatemala. Now, the 22-year-old will make a historic jaunt as Kljestan prepares with the USA for a World Cup qualifier in Cuba.
Typically, though, traveling for soccer games across the world requires quite a bit of focus on the match or tournament and sightseeing or anything else probably does not come into play. But this match is different as the United States and Cuba have been political foes for decades.
That Kljestan will participate in what is a historic event makes his selection that much more special.
"It's definitely something that hasn't been done in a really long time so it's nice to be a part of that. It's something that one day they may call history," he said. "I'm excited and very proud to be part of the squad that's going down there. Hopefully we can go down and make America proud."
Not since 1991 has a U.S. team paid a visit to Cuba. In fact, Saturday's match will be just the third time a U.S. soccer team of any type has played in Cuba since 1947.
Any sort of political overtones, however, won't taint Kljestan's mood.
"It's exciting for us. I've heard Cuba is a nice country and it should be a good time," he said.
Kljestan played with Chivas USA on Tuesday as the club tied 1-1 with Tauro FC and lost out on a chance to play in the CONCACAF Champions League. He departed for Miami on Wednesday and joined the national team, which also includes former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
The duo was on the sidelines for the USA's last match, a 1-0 win in Guatemala. Kljestan said he expected an equally difficult match in Cuba, whether he plays or not.
"It's going to be a very hard game like it was in Guatemala. It's going to be a battle," he said. "Any time you face a CONCACAF team away from home it's going to be very tough. We expect a hostile environment."
The U.S. has not lost to Cuba since a 5-2 setback in Havana in 1947. Most recently, the U.S. has enjoyed comfortable victories against Cuba, notably in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
"We hope to continue that streak," Kljestan said. "There is always pressure when you are, quote-unquote, the favorite I guess, especially USA is a big dog in CONCACAF. There is always a bit of pressure to do well against lesser opponents."
The 2005 Gold Cup was a memorable one for one current member of Chivas USA. Cuban-born Maykel Galindo left his national team during a Gold Cup game in Seattle and defected to the United States. Galindo, who spent time with the Seattle Sounders before joining Chivas USA in early 2007, had some friendly banter with Kljestan.
"He said 'I hope Cuba wins' but he said 'Good luck," Kljestan said.
However, Galindo apparently did not take the opportunity to send a care package with Kljestan to his family in Villa Clara, Cuba.
"He should have given me something to give to his grandma but I guess not," Kljestan said.
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