Real Salt Lake shipped veteran midfielder Chris Klein to Los Angeles on Thursday in exchange for young talents Robbie Findley and Nathan Sturgis.
The trade between RSL and the Galaxy mixes things up in the two squads sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. RSL acquired Klein in January 2006 from the Kansas City Wizards, but now feels it is time to bring in some youth to help its reeling club.
“Trading a veteran with the attributes and professionalism of a Chris Klein is never an easy thing to do,” said John Ellinger, Real Salt Lake’s former head coach and current Director of Operations. “But this deal allows us to bring in a pair of young players that are ready to step in and contribute right away.”
Klein scored a career-high seven goals last season and also tallied eight assists. However, things look bleaker this year as the 31-year-old Klein has scored just one goal and notched one assist through 11 games.
The move echoes RSL’s influx of youth this season. Thirty-year-old Jeff Cunningham, RSL’s leading scorer at the time, packed his bags for Toronto FC on May 22 in a trade that brought forward Alecko Eskandarian to Utah.
Klein’s departure leaves a huge hole in the RSL midfield. The four-time MLS All-Star has played in all 990 minutes possible for Real this season. Now someone else has to step in and fill his boots.
That man might be Sturgis.
The newly acquired defender/midfielder started eight of Los Angeles’ nine games this season. His talents are currently employed by the U.S. Under-20 national team, where he is competing alongside new teammates Freddy Adu and Chris Seitz. When Sturgis arrives after the U-20 World Cup in Canada, RSL will expect him to contribute.
“(Nathan’s) experience and poise at such a young age will allow him to step in comfortably from day one,” Ellinger said.
Findley provides another option for coach Jason Kreis at forward. Findley may be the spark that ignites a struggling offense. The forward has scored two goals this season in just 377 minutes of play, compared with Klein’s one.
“Robbie Findley is a player we had our eye on very closely during the draft in January, and his early results this year prove why he was so sought after,” Ellinger said.
RSL hopes Findley’s efforts continue. Real’s anemic offense has scored a league-low nine goals, three of which came from Cunningham. Chris Brown, who will be out two to three weeks with a hamstring injury, has another third of RSL’s total goals scored with three.
Findley will join the team Friday and will be available for Saturday’s match against D.C. United.
As RSL gets younger, the Galaxy seems to be getting older. The acquisition of Klein is one of several recent transactions to bring in a player in his 30s. Los Angeles signed 34-year-old Abel Xavier earlier this month. The arrival of 32-year-old David Beckham is also looming. But Klein is ready for his new home and was happy to hear about the trade.
“I was excited,” Klein said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for me professionally, and most importantly, I know the expectations here and am happy to be able to contribute toward reaching those.”
For RSL, Klein will be missed, but Salt Lake is simultaneously anxious to see what Findley and Sturgis have to offer.
“We want to wish nothing but the best to Chris and his family as he transitions to the Galaxy, and look forward to welcoming Nathan and Robbie to the squad,” Ellinger said.