By Mike Woitalla
@MikeWoitalla
Growing up in Southern California, the son of Argentine parents,Brian Kleiban admired Fernando Redondo, Ariel Ortega, Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme and JuanVeron — creative Argentine players and predecessors to Lionel Messi.
After Kleiban started coaching youth soccer, he made annual internship trips to FCBarcelona.
Why couldn’t the USA produce players like those, or Messi or Andres Iniesta?
“If Iniesta or Messi were born in the United States, theywouldn’t be doing what they do now,” says Kleiban. “Who knows what they’d be doing. Working at a restaurant?”
Brian Kleiban (Photo courtesy of StephanieRomero/LA Galaxy)
Not only was elite American youth soccer not tapping into the rich talent of the Latino community, such creative types of players are suited to adifferent style of soccer than what has been prevalent in the USA.
“If Iniesta was playing here, as opposed to his system in Barcelona, he wouldn’t be the same Iniesta,” saysKleiban. “He’d get 10 touches per half as opposed to 50 touches per half. He’d get the ball in bad areas, he’d get smashed by defenders as opposed to getting the ball where heneeds to get the ball.
“It all comes back to methodology and style of play and player profiles.”
Kleiban, after coaching a U-19 team at Orange Soccer Club to help out afriend, joined the staff at Barcelona USA, a club launched by Paul Walker in 1999 whoseplayers were 90 percent Hispanic and took the Southern California youth scene by storm.
“The most fulfilling part when I started doing this 14 years ago — there’s so much talenthere in this market here in Southern California — I wanted to help kids and open doors that weren’t open for me back then,” says Kleiban. “That is something that we failed at inthis country. So many have slipped through the cracks. We have so many top level Hispanic players who for some reason don’t get to the top of the food chain.
“I say, if yousurround these players with players of their quality, then they can play their best soccer.”
When Kleiban’s brother Gary Kleiban
Brian Kleiban moved to Chivas USA’s academy in 2013. Chivas USA may have ultimately failed as an MLS team, but it’s academy program was one best in the nation. In 2015,Kleiban moved to the LA Galaxy, which was launching a high school for its academy players.
This July, Kleiban’s U-18s reached the Development Academy final, falling, 2-1, to Texans SCHouston. Truly remarkable about Kleiban’s team — he started six U-16 eligible players, plus Efrain Alvarez, still eligible for the U-14s. Eight of Kleiban’s academyplayers have already appeared for Los Angeles Galaxy II in USL play.
“In terms of our club and the structure with our club, it’s moving the right direction,” saysKleiban.
(Photo courtesy ofStephanie Romero/LA Galaxy)
Brian Kleiban on …
Coaching role models
Marcelo Bielsa, when he took over after 1998 World Cup, Argentina finally had a clear-cut identity — aggressive attacking soccer. It didn’t matter the opponent or venue, Argentinawould be the protagonist dictating play for 90-plus minutes. Italy in Rome? No problem! Spain in Madrid? No Problem! Brazil in the Maracana, no problem! He changed the culture and mindset of thatgroup and made them all believe they could win playing this way anywhere on planet earth. It worked during qualifiers and lead-up to 2002 World Cup. Unfortunately, they crashed out in group play.Ironically, they dominated each match, very lopsided numbers in terms of goalscoring opportunities. The ball just wouldn’t go in.
Such was the respect for his work, he was retainedafter this massive failure for another term. Bielsa would lead Argentina to Olympic gold in 2004 and a disappointing heart-breaking Copa America final loss after giving up a goal to Brazil in stoppagetime, losing on PKs. He stepped down after the gold in Athens. He continued his trend with Chile. He produced an amazing turnaround for Chile, the results coming after he was gone (back-to-back CopaAmerica titles). The mindset was the same he inculcated in the Argentine player. Dominate on any field against any opponent with aggressive attacking soccer.
PepGuardiola — the obvious one. I had the pleasure to see him up close during his debut season at the Camp Nou. It was my first time in Barcelona during one of my five three-weekinternships. Amazing!
Jose Mourinho. I got to see him close and personal each time at UCLA during preseason. Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man United. He’s doneamazing work on a consistent basis, starting with smaller clubs in Portugal.
Coaching education
If you’re coaching just for the paycheck, you do adisservice to the youth player. … I went to the 2004 Copa America in Peru and snuck into Argentina’s every session to watch Bielsa. I used to go to UCLA and watch Mourinho from thebushes. Fortunately now, with the situation I’m in, I can sit right next to the field. I think there’s a new generation of young coaches who have grown up playing the game, are hungry forknowledge, who are really taking it to another level in terms coaching education.
(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Romero/LA Galaxy)
Development Academy
I’ve been involved five years. I think it’s progressing, getting better, getting younger. My only critique,competitive games week in and week out aren’t there yet. Some of the local clubs we play, it’s 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 — not a challenge. We try and forge professionals and they’re notfighting for their lives. They are on the training field every day, but come the weekend, it’s too easy. We play these international games at Generation Adidas Cup or when we travel abroad— those kids, they’re involved in wars every week, fighting for their lives. For example, the Mexican clubs, the 17s and 20s, they travel with the first team every week. They adjust in 90minutes. Our players are too comfortable.
Biggest mistake youth soccer coaches make
In my opinion, less is more. Figure out your coreexercises to teach the basic fundamentals and team style of play. Work them over and over and over again. Demand perfection and execution in training. Once it becomes clear on consistent basis thatthey have mastered it individually and collectively, you can add layers of complexity. Until then, stick to the same things. Most coaches just jump around, all over the place with new content tofool everyone that they can run different sessions each and every day. The players never improve in any facets of their games this way.
Advice for coaches at the youngestlevels
Not my forte working with the little ones just getting started, but I feel that it needs to be enjoyable. The kids need to have fun within the sessions and thegame. As coaches, we need to inspire them to want to be different than the rest. Have passion for the game! It’s very important to give them “homework” in terms of ballwork and mastery. The wall should be their best friend. Find a park with a racquetball court. We know mom and dad will be furious if you’re banging the ball against the wall or garage athome.
Favorite soccer books
“Jose Mourinho: Anatomy of a Winner” by Patrick Barclay.
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Progressing as acoach
I started 14 years ago, and I thought I was pretty good Year 1, and I reflected back a few years down the line, and I’m, “Wow, I was terrible.” Same goesnow. Five years ago, I thought I was a finished product, and I reflect back and wow, I’m wasn’t even close. A few years down the line, I’ll look back on this — and hopefully I willhave continued to evolve and grow.
Advice for parents
Parents need to support their kids. Make sure the decisions are made by the players interms of their happiness with their situation and role within the team. During my experience, the kids are rarely, if ever, the problem. Parents tend to ruin it for their kids. Again, justsupport your child and understand it is a long-term process where there will be highs and lows.
We need more Brian Kleiban’s! Hope I live long enough to see this country produce the kind of players that, can turn heads.
Great interview Mike. I enjoyed the linked 2007 article too. IMO ages 8 to 12, the fundamental stage is critical to development, but we simply don’t have enough coaches who can teach fundamentals. Too much attention is paid to team tactics and style of play at the younger ages (putting the cart before the horse). We should be developing fundamentally sound 12. y.o. players who will then play well in any system later in development. Some coaches are doing this already and the players are a joy to watch, regardless of the result.
Solid interview; Brian tells it like it is.
I grew up playing soccer with Brian and even back then I would listen to BK instead of my own coaches because he knew nothing else but soccer. Some coaches you wonder why they where even there. Doing Good BK. Big things.
Great interview! In my opinion, we will not progress until kids are playing freely, without a structured practice. By playing freely with friends, neighbors, etc kids will learn from other kids and will develop their skills without adults telling them to. Love of the game is critical. In order for the game to truly advance, soccer needs to be part of the fabric of our culture, as in many other countries, in order to grow in the way many of us envision. Lastly, and it is a completely different discussion, we have made soccer a sport for middle and upper class players. We are missing out on talent that simply can’t afford to play a sport that doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Soccer stars from all over the world come from humble beginnings, why should our national teams be different? Why can’t our next star be from East LA, Detroit, south Chicago, the Bronx, a cornfield in the plains states, etc? With our current system, if a talented player can’t afford a club team, ODP tryout fees, camps, etc, are we truly putting the best players on the field?
He seems like a confident player. Also a likeable guy seems to love his kids. I hope he continues to do well. Hey I have a little Hungarian in me. He seems he likes to take part in the team practice. I wonder if their is a striker practice at the end of the team practice. If there is that is probably the part he likes the most. Any one from Chicago know if there is a striker practice for him at the end of the team practice.
Jose I played that kind of street soccer even as an adult. There was an area here in Brooklyn called Ave J park in an immigrant area. Everyone just played all different ages one ball as many on a side who was there. They played 7 days a week until dark the field had no lights. You had adults playing with and against kids. Age between thirties and 9 yrs old. No coaching, but the kids learned from watching what some of the adults did. I brought my own son there when he was eight then he played for BW Gottschee. I always thought from when he was born that one day maybe we would both play on the same team together. When he was 19 we did do that for a season.
Nick, that is awesome and exactly what I’m talking about! I hope that still happens in Brooklyn, and starts happening in a lot more places. Congratulations to your son!
I Refd Brian as a player and a coach. He was a great indoor player at the Orange indoor complex.Looks like he is becoming a great coach. He is a bit vocal as I have given him cards as a player and coach. On that note, I must say he is a GREAT guy. Good luck Brian, and hope to see you on the pitch. No cards please.
I have been following the Kleiban brothers for years and I’m thrilled that they are finally getting the visibility they deserve. They are not only supporters of Hispanic players but al so are major proponents of the Barca approach to play. I can remember when “tiki-taka” was a widespread term of derision (yesterday) but that such changing due to Barca’s success AND people like the Kleibans. I am anxiously awaiting the time when Brian gets a coaching job in MLS, Atlanta United would be a great fit!