On Thursday, Sacha Kljestan scored a goal and Brad Guzan picked up a shutout as Chivas USA beat Chicago 2-0. The next day, the duo hopped aboard an airplane with the Caribbean as the ultimate destination.
The duo's latest performances with the Red-and-White did not lead to national team duty, but it's simply an indication of what the pair can offer to the U.S. national team.
Kljestan and Guzan could each play a role in helping the USA close out their World Cup qualifying series on a triumphant note against Barbados.
"We've got an 8-0 lead so hopefully we come out, just play our game and get the job done, just finish off that game and move on to our next qualifier," Kljestan said. "I'm excited to get the call."
The U.S. routed Barbados by eight goals a week ago at The Home Depot Center to start off what could be an 18-match journey to the 2010 World Cup. While Kljestan trained with the U.S. during the entire week leading up to the match, he did not dress and was instead part of Chivas USA's match against Real Salt Lake the day before the game.
Guzan, though, started and picked up his first qualifying shutout in his first qualifying appearance.
"Any time you can play with the national team and get a shutout and help the team be successful I think it's great," Guzan said. "Overall it's a good feeling."
Chivas USA had the weekend off and will play host to the New York Red Bulls on June 28. The team then will have the opportunity to watch their young teammates take part in the match.
Midfielder Jesse Marsch said he was happy for both his teammates and looked forward to watching Kljestan play a part in a qualifier. Since Kljestan came into MLS as the fifth-overall choice in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Marsch has taken Kljestan under his wing. In that time, Kljestan has blossomed into a talented two-way midfielder.
While he is a key part of the U.S. under-23 national team and will likely participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics, Kljestan has yet to solidify his spot on the senior team. With a qualifier just a day away, Kljestan was ultimately not given a chance to suit up.
"It was unfortunate what happened to Sacha last week," Marsch said. "He is still figuring out how to deal playing with both teams, training with both teams. For a young guy, that's tough to deal with. I know he was disappointed not to be included in the first Barbados game. But those guys have earned the right to be part of that group. They're both progressing well."
Still, Marsch said the team might ultimately miss out on the pair for good.
"The only scary thing with them is if they keep doing well, you might lose them to someone in Europe or something like that," Marsch said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
