Klein happy to now be in RSL camp

PROVO — Six weeks into training camp, Chris Klein made his first appearance with Real Salt Lake Tuesday, and he was excited as anybody.

"It feels good to put the uniform on and be around the guys," said Klein, who's been training with the U.S. National Team since early January. "Since (RSL's) been together for so long and training, you kind of work yourself back into the mix slowly."

Being "in the mix" is a phrase used more and more often in reference to Klein lately.

During his recent stint with the Nats, he appeared in four games, scoring two goals and assisting on two others. It's the kind of impact players dream about having in the months leading up to World Cup selection.

"It's really hard to say exactly where you stand," said Klein. "I think I've put myself in a position to have a chance, and that's all I wanted going in, and I think that's where I'm at right now."

Whether or not he makes the 23-man U.S. roster, which must be finalized by May 15, Klein doesn't even think coach Bruce Arena knows the answer to that question yet.

"You know where you stand with him as far as how he thinks you're doing, but how that fits into the picture, I don't even think he knows that yet," said Klein. "There are so many players and injuries and things to evaluate."

As it stands now, at least he's in the mix.

Klein's U.S. and Real teammate, Eddie Pope, believes versatility is his ticket to trying to make the squad.

Throughout the last two months of U.S. training camp, Arena has experimented a bit with players in different positions, and one of them involved playing Klein at right back instead of his traditional right midfield role.

"He showed he has a lot versatility and he can play in different spots on the field," said Pope. "You can tell his confidence is continuing to grow, and that's good for us. The more guys you can have in national team camp the better."

For as well as he's played, many believe Klein is still a long shot for the World Cup squad. Arena will likely take eight midfielders to Germany, and some believe those eight midfielders will be DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Landon Donovan, Pablo Mastroeni, Bobby Convey, John O'Brien, Clint Dempsey and Kerry Zavagnin.

Klein and Pat Noonan are among the players on the midfield bubble, and considering that O'Brien and Mastroeni have each battled injuries in the past six months, nothing is for certain.

If Klein does make the World Cup squad, he'd miss nearly two months of the MLS season, but that's a trade-off Salt Lake doesn't mind risking.

When he's on the field, Klein's work rate at right midfield is unmatched. As RSL coach John Ellinger said, "Every time he gets the ball he's a threat."

His recent experience as a part-time defender with the national time should enable him and RSL right back Chris Brown to link up well together. It doesn't hurt either that they were teammates with Kansas City for five years. Klein spent the first eight years of his career with the Wizards.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com