[AMERICANS ABROAD] Such is the value Belgian champion Anderlecht places in Sacha Kljestan that the former Chivas USA midfielder was the only newcomer to break into the starting lineup for its first major test of the season, a 1-0 win over Gent Friday in the Belgian Super Cup. Next up for the De Buffalos: UEFA Champions League qualifying Wednesday at Welsh club Wrexham.

Kljestan, 24, was the oldest of four offseason acquisitions. The others were Argentines Pier Barrios (20) and Pablo Chavarria (22) and Czech defender Jan Lecjaks (19).

But keeping everyone but Jelle Van Damme was perhaps "our biggest transfer," said Anderlecht coach Ariel Jacobs.

Kljestan played 60 minutes before giving way to Czech Jan Polak.

Senegalese midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate had the game's only goal on the half-hour mark, scoring off a feed from Argentine Lucas Biglia.

The win was Anderlecht's ninth in the Super Cup.

Kouyate goal: