VIDEO: Kljestan Looks To Be A New US Leader

It wasn't so long ago that Sacha Kljestan was a eager young hopeful at his first January national team camp and yet now the midfielder has advanced to be one of the more experienced players of the next generation of U.S. talent.

Kljestan first set foot on the grounds of the U.S. soccer training camp in Carson as a member of the U20 team that eventually competed in the Netherlands in 2005. Kljestan was a generally a backup on that squad, but the midfielder developed by leaps and bounds after joining Major League Soccer's Chivas USA the next year.

Bob Bradley coached the squad as Kljestan became that rare rookie with a regular starting role. Chivas USA made the MLS playoffs in every year of Kljestan's career.

Kljestan's national team responsibilities increased when he became the captain of the Olympic team, a position that highlighted how he was progressing as the on-field general of the squad. He was also named U.S. Soccer's Young Player of the Year in 2008.

Despite all the superlatives he has earned thus far, it doesn't seem as if the tall playmaker has reached the ceiling of his potential yet. That latent talent is no doubt what has stirred up interest for his services abroad, where Kljestan is perpetually the subject of transfer speculation these days.

Right now, however, Kljestan is concentrating on helping his national teammates prepare for the match against Sweden.  Our Goal.com video exclusive got his thoughts on the start of camp and other issues facing a squad that features a number of newbies.

"A lot of young guys are trying to learn the tendencies of each other," Kljestan points out, explaining how he hopes to help guide the squad as one of the new leaders.

Watch for more of what Kljestan had to say.

--Goal.com

Catch more of Goal.com's exclusive coverage of the training camp in the Goal.com Blog.