It’s Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Klein, who spent eight seasons with the Wizards.
While Beckham has garnered the most attention of any player in Major League Soccer history and is known internationally, Klein said the British star doesn’t have a huge ego.
“I think the ‘wow’ factor wears off until something comes up or you see him on a billboard,” Klein said. “When you’re just talking to him and you’re talking to him about his kids and they’re doing the same things my kids are doing, to talk with him on that level, he really is — it sounds trite — a normal guy.”
MLS has had its fair share of foreign stars flop in the States. France’s Youri Djorkaeff and Germany’s Lothar Matthäus are two prime examples.
Beckham joined MLS last summer and went scoreless in five appearances, but he has three goals in six starts this season, including two Saturday in the Galaxy’s 2-2 tie against Real Salt Lake. Forgetting for a moment about Beckham’s incredible talent, Klein believes his teammate will succeed in large part due to that down-to-earth attitude.
“He doesn’t ask for any special favors, nor does he think he deserves them,” Klein said. “Other foreigners have come over here who have played at the highest level and they want these special things.
“He’s been able to come in and integrate into our locker room and be one of the guys while he’s with us, and that has really helped everyone get used to everything that goes on beyond the soccer field.”
And Klein has never faced anything off the field quite like Beckham-mania.
During the preseason, the Galaxy played in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Hong Kong, and the fan turnout opened Klein’s eyes.
“It’s pretty amazing to see just how far his reach goes,” Klein said. “It’s even amplified for when you go to Asia. It’s like you’re traveling with the Beatles. You’re having to fight to get on the bus, we have over a hundred security guards lining the bus. It’s really a surreal experience when you think about it.”
But a great one for Klein. He was traded from the Wizards to Real Salt Lake after the 2005 season, then was dealt to the Galaxy last June.
While he was a midfielder for the Wizards — he set up the winning goal in the 2000 MLS Cup — Klein is a defender for the Galaxy.
“It’s the best position for me, especially on our team and how Ruud wants to play and how David is able to draw so much attention in front of me,” Klein said. “I’m really enjoying it.”
Ruud would be Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit, a two-time world soccer player of year who has also coached in Europe, most notably Chelsea. Gullit ups the star factor another level for Los Angeles, which finished 11th out of 13 teams last year but is just a point out of first place in the Western Conference this season.
“He’s starting to share those experiences and put that imprint on our team and how he wants us to operate this year,” Klein said.
Playing the backline also gives Klein a unique vantage point to watch Beckham operate.
“I play behind him, so to see how he moves and see the passes he makes and how he reads the game has been phenomenal,” Klein said. “He’s scored some goals this season, but that’s not really what his main thing is. His main thing is passing and working hard, and he’s done those two things exceptionally well.”
Well, he is David Beckham.
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