RSL adds Wizards' Klein to its roster

Real Salt Lake continued its drastic offseason roster overhaul over the weekend as it acquired veteran midfielder Chris Klein from the Kansas City Wizards for a portion of allocation money.

"He is a great addition to our team and I think he is the prototype midfielder that every team wants to have," said RSL coach John Ellinger. "Chris provides leadership, experience, great pace and work rate to the team. I can't say enough about getting a player of Chris' caliber."

As part of the trade, Salt Lake also acquired a youth international roster slot.

Klein played in all but one game for Kansas City in 2005, tallying seven goals and nine assists. Not bad for a guy who tore the ACL in his left knee in August 2004.

The eight-year MLS veteran spent his entire career in Kansas City, playing in 200 regular-season games and recording 39 goals and 45 assists.

"Without a doubt he's an honest player," said Ellinger. "He has an honest work rate, and he's more of an attack-minded wide player. He brings the danger of taking defenders on one-on-one."

Klein's primary position is right midfielder, the same position Andy Williams was his most productive last year. Initially, Ellinger says he's planning on solving the log jam by moving Williams to attacking midfield, a position Clint Mathis occupied most of last year.

Klein has 17 appearances with the U.S. National Team, including a second-half appearance in a 0-0 tie against Canada on Sunday. He replaced Frankie Hejduk at right back, his first appearance as a defender with the U.S. squad.

Sunday's game was Klein's first action with the national team since early 2004. Prior to his knee injury, Klein was emerging as one of U.S. coach Bruce Arena's top midfield options. In 2003, he started six matches for the U.S.

Klein's acquisition increases RSL's roster total to 32, four over the league maximum. Ellinger and his coaching staff will begin evaluating that player pool on Feb. 1, when the team gathers in Bradenton, Fla., for training camp. The MLS regular season begins on April 1, with Salt Lake opening on the road at Chivas USA.

"Chris completes this team for the upcoming 2006 season," said RSL general manager Pastorino. "He's one of the most talented, aggressive outside midfielders Major League Soccer has produced. Acquiring Chris is the exclamation point to a busy and productive offseason."

Klein is one of 10 new players Salt Lake has added this offseason.

That list includes forward Jeff Cunningham, midfielders Douglas Sequeira and Carey Talley, defender Daniel Torres and goalkeeper Scott Garlick.

RSL's roster size will balloon even more at this Thursday's MLS Supplemental Draft. Ellinger's team has the No. 2 pick in each of the first three rounds. Last year, RSL acquired Steven Rhyne, Michael Lookingland, Noah Palmer and Cameron Knowles in the supplemental draft.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com