Sacha Kljestan On Why LA’s Soccer Scene is Different | OneFootball

With a new big-name landing in LA, we catch up with former MLS and USMNT star Sacha Kljestan to discuss the city’s soccer landscape and its love for both A-list names and under-the-radar role players.

Call it what you want: The City of Angels, Tinseltown, the City of Immigrants, the City of Dreams, La La Land — Los Angeles is one of the world’s largest cultural hubs, brimming with talent, ambition, and history. Whether it’s the countless dreamers chasing stardom beneath the Hollywood sign, or the longtime residents who have helped create one of the most diverse and iconic cities in the world, LA has always stood out from the crowd.

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It’s also home to one of the most vibrant soccer communities in the country, which includes a pair of fervent fan bases behind MLS clubs LAFC and LA Galaxy. The former club has been in the headlines of late, signing South Korean superstar Son Heung-min and creating a frenzy in the process.

To get a better look at what makes LA a special soccer city, I chatted with former MLS star and current MLS Season Pass pundit Sacha Kljestan, a Southern California native who started and ended his MLS career with Chivas USA and LA Galaxy, respectively.

Kljestan, born and raised in Huntington Beach to immigrant parents, played over 180 matches in LA with Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy. And as the only city to ever host three MLS teams, Kljestan knows what makes LA different.

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“There are a couple of things about LA that I think are special,” Kljestan said. “One is that from the outside, people see LA and think Hollywood, glitz and glam, and star power, right? I think that’s a bit of a false narrative. That’s what you see from the outside, and I think star power is something in LA.

“In LA, teams need stars because fans love stars for sure, but the people of LA are hard-working and blue-collar. There’s a massive immigrant population in the Los Angeles area. I am the son of an undocumented immigrant to the United States.”

The former United States men’s national team player also offered insight into why California is a hotbed for U.S. talent, noting its diversity as one of the factors.

“Of any state in the country, I think California has produced the most players who have been big-time pros on the U.S. men’s national team and in MLS,” he said. “This place is a melting pot.”

The melting pot extends to the fans as well, and both the Galaxy and LAFC have supporters that are as diverse as they are passionate.

With residents from all walks of life, LA has been able to incubate a unique soccer culture that stands out from not just the rest of the country, but the world as well.

“[LA fans] know soccer, and they love their sports and their teams here,” Kljestan said. “A lot of teams in LA have really good fans. I think the Galaxy fans who call themselves the OGs, the ones who’ve been there since ’96 or a long time and didn’t jump ship to LAFC or anything like that, they’re very loyal to their team.”

One thing that makes it easy for LA fans to stay loyal to their teams is that they both have been able to land some of the world’s biggest stars, including but not limited to David Beckham, Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Giorgio Chiellini. Angelenos have all been able to watch these players in their backyard.

But there are two sides to the coin. Just as there are countless blue-collar communities that mirror LA’s luxury enclaves, fans have equally rallied behind players like Edwin Cerillo and Nathan Ordaz, who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work that may go unnoticed to a national audience.

“They love their superstars for sure, and I love that about the Galaxy and LAFC,” Kljestan said. “I’ve never shied away from bringing superstars to MLS because they’re fun to cheer for, but equally to that, there are also the guys that I think people feel connected to, either local players or those who fly under the radar who give their all for the team. I think fans connect with guys like that, too.”

The latest star to come to LA, Son is the perfect mix of big name talent and hard working grit. The former Tottenham winger’s player profile makes him the perfect face of LA for years to come.

Since Son’s unveiling at LAFC, he’s sold more jerseys than any other athlete, regardless of sport, in the world. It’s a massive coup for MLS, a league that continues to attract stars from around the globe.

“Over the past decade in the Premier League, you could say he’s probably been a top-five to top-10 player, so that’s first and foremost,” Kljestan said. “Second, he’s an Asian soccer player, probably the best Asian soccer player of all time. Obviously world-famous, and also has a massive profile in Korea. Let’s not forget that LAFC’s stadium is only about four miles from Koreatown in Downtown LA, so commercially, he’s going to be an awesome success.

“But he’s just a phenomenal player, and I think fans should be excited to see him. On top of all that, when you get to interview him or see him in public-facing settings, he’s very, very likable. I think it’ll be hard-pressed for any LAFC fan not to be enamored by this guy.”

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With Kljestan now being a pundit for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, he has been able to rile up LA Galaxy fans, infamously predicting that the G’s would finish below the playoff line last season. Riqui Puig and the Galaxy used Kljestan’s predictions as fuel for their MLS Cup title run.

“They got the last laugh, that’s for sure,” Kljestan said of the Galaxy and their fans. “But listen, I’ll stand by it. You know, I’ve got to make my opinions known, that’s my job. I’ve got to take a stance on things. Obviously, I think MLS is much better when the Galaxy is at the top.”

Kljestan didn’t think he was going to end up being a pundit after hanging up his boots with the LA Galaxy, but his trademark mustache was destined for TV. He’s highly grateful to be part of the MLS Season Pass team alongside former New York Red Bulls teammates Dax McCarty and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

“I consider myself very lucky to have this job, and I don’t take it for granted,” Kljestan said. “I’m a big believer in Major League Soccer, so I’m glad that I get to tell the stories of some of these fantastic players in the league nowadays.”

Los Angeles is a city of contrasts: glamour and grit, superstars and unsung heroes. Kljestan knows it better than most, having lived both sides of the story as a player and now as a pundit.

The fans, fiercely loyal and endlessly passionate, make every match feel bigger than just a game. With Son Heung-min joining LAFC, the city gains a player who embodies everything LA stands for: world-class talent, global appeal, and a personality fans can’t help but love. In LA, soccer isn’t just played, it’s experienced, celebrated, and debated. And with players like Son and voices like Kljestan guiding the conversation, the city’s love affair with the game shows no signs of slowing down.

In Los Angeles, soccer isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. And if you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind.

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