In Orlando City’s first two matches of the 2018 season one thing they haven’t lacked is effort. One thing they have missed is Sacha Kljestan.
Kljestan, acquired in the offseason from the New York Red Bulls, missed the first two matches of the season due to suspension. He’s set to return this Saturday when Orlando City travels north to take on NYCFC.
Since 2015, the midfielder’s 51 assists are the most in Major League Soccer. The addition of Kljestan should give Orlando City a boost in their attack.
“I think he’s an important player for us,” said head coach Jason Kreis following Orlando City’s loss to Minnesota United. “I think we compound the issue when we don’t have another number 10 that’s healthy, with Josué Colman being injured, and so, for the last two weeks we’ve been playing players out of position to fill that spot and I feel like we’ve lacked just a little bit of quality. Nothing to do with the effort, I think the guys’ effort has been fantastic. Tonight, for me, we just lacked a little bit of quality in the final third.”
By adding Kljestan to the mix, things will open up for some of the team’s other playermakers.
“I think Justin [Meram] will probably one of the happiest players on our squad to have Sacha added in there,” said Jason Kreis. “I think all of our players will, in fact, because Sacha is a tremendous leader as well. What he brings just from a character point of view out there - been there, done that. From that point of view, he will be a massive addition for us.”
Kljestan is just the first of many that will return to the lineup in the coming weeks. Forward Dom Dywer and midfielder Josué Colmán will soon be returning from injury and offseason acquisitions Uri Rosell and Lamine Sané are working their way into fitness.
“At some point, of course, you’re going to expect to have much more of your complete roster, said Jason Kreis. “I really don’t concern myself too much because I know we have guys that are coming back and guys that are going to be ready and so once we have a full squad we’ll be in a very good position still.”
This weekends debut of Sacha Kljestan will only be a taste of what’s to come this season.
Orlando City takes on NYCFC this Saturday in Yankee Stadium. The match will kickoff at 3:30 PM ET on Univision Deportes and streaming on Twitter.
