Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/494191
11 After a standout 12-year career in MLS that saw him win MLS Cup in 2000 and set new MLS records for most consecutive games started and games played, Chris Klein retired from the game following the 2010 MLS season to become the Galaxy's Senior Director of the LA Galaxy Academy. He was officially named to that position in December 2010, before becoming a Vice President for the club in February 2012. In January of 2013, Klein was named President of the LA Galaxy. In 2014, Klein was named Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 after his countless accomplishments as president of the Galaxy in the last 12-24 months. Klein has played an instrumental role in the Galaxy becoming the first team to win five MLS Cups. The Galaxy, under his direction, drove innovation in Major League Soccer by being the first club to launch a second division team with the launch of Galaxy II in USL PRO. Additionally, Klein led the charge in AEG and the Galaxy investing $15 million dollars into StubHub Center, the Galaxy's soccer-specific stadium, including building the largest video board in MLS, and also built the Champions Lounge, an all-inclusive premium club at the StubHub Center in addition to updating the food and beverage experience with new bars and concessions in-stadium. Under his administration, the Galaxy re-signed Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez, two of MLS' most recognizable players. Klein and the Galaxy have also accomplished a best-in-class player development system that has seen five Galaxy Academy players signed to the first team. A four-time All-Star in MLS, Klein ranks fifth in league history with 333 career games played as a member of the Kansas City Wizards, Real Salt Lake and the Galaxy, who he joined in June 2007. In his time with the Galaxy, Klein appeared in more than 100 games in all competitions, scoring five times and adding 15 assists. The 39-year-old, who holds his USSF "B" coaching license, began his MLS career in 1998 when he was selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the first round (4th overall) of the MLS College Draft. In eight years with the Wizards, Klein helped the club win their first MLS Cup in 2000, assisting on Miklos Molnar's game-winning goal as the Wizards defeated Chicago 1-0. An All-Star every year from 2002-05, Klein scored 39 goals and added 45 assists in his time with the club, while also helping them win the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Klein is the only player in MLS history to win the league's Comeback Player of the Year award twice, doing so in 2002 and 2005 after twice recovering from serious knee injuries. Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Klein was traded to Real Salt Lake, where he had eight goals and nine assists in 43 games for the club. He was on the move once again in June 2007 when he was acquired by the Galaxy in exchange for Robbie Findley and Nathan Sturgis. Klein immediately established himself as one of the most reliable players in the Galaxy squad as he went on to set MLS records for consecutive games started (118) and games played (141) that still stand today. In 94 regular season appearances for the club, Klein had two goals and 15 assists, while adding a pair of goals in the 2007 SuperLiga. The second of these goals cemented his place in club lore, as his bicycle kick in the final seconds of second half stoppage time in the SuperLiga Final, tied the game at 1- 1 and sent the match to extra time. In addition to his play in MLS, Klein earned 22 caps with the U.S. National Team, scoring five goals and adding three assists. He made his international debut in a 2-0 win over Mexico on 10/25/2000 at the Rose Bowl and scored his first goal for the U.S. in his eighth appearance, a 4-0 win over Canada in January 2003. He two goals and two assists in six games for the U.S. in 2006, making his final appearance for his country in March of that year. Klein played his college soccer at Indiana University, playing in 88 games during his four years with the Hoosiers. He finished his college career with 19 goals and 18 assists and led his team to the NCAA Tournament four times, including a berth in the College Cup Final in 1994 where they lost to Bruce Arena's University of Virginia. Honors, distinctions and awards: Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 – 2014 and 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year – 2002 and 2005 LA Galaxy MVP – 2007 CHRIS KLEIN