Chris Klein, August 2015 for Four Four Two magazine interview
Chris Klein is President of the LA Galaxy. Klein serves as the club’s top business executive overseeing all aspects of business operations, strategic planning and overall management of the LA Galaxy.
Klein, a product of St. Louis, MO (DeSmet Jesuit), was named President of the LA Galaxy in January of 2013. Prior to being named president, Klein served as a Vice President for the Galaxy. Klein retired from professional soccer in 2010 following a distinguished 13-year career in Major League Soccer. As a player, the Indiana University graduate won the MLS Cup in 2000 and set MLS records for most consecutive games started and consecutive games played. Directly after his retirement as a player with the Galaxy, Klein served as the Senior Director of the LA Galaxy Academy from 2010 until February 2012, before being named Vice President in 2012. In January of 2014, Klein was named to Sports Business Journal’s prestigious Forty Under 40 award.
Klein works closely with Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena on the soccer aspect of the business. The 39-year-old plays a central role in arranging and organizing the international friendlies that the Galaxy play each year while also serving as the club’s lead on all MLS and community development related matters. Additionally, Klein continues to ensure the long term financial stability of the Galaxy and all of the club’s properties, including the Galaxy Academy and the LA Galaxy Soccer Center in Torrance, Calif., while helping the club continue to strengthen its presence in the local soccer community. Klein also sits on the board of the Hammarby Football Club in Sweden, representing AEG, a part owner of the club.
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.
2015 August 13 – Chris Klein to be inducted into Sporting Legends on Saturday
Klein was selected fourth overall by the then-Wizards in the 1998 MLS College Draft and began his professional career with eight seasons in Kansas City. He won all three major domestic trophies during his KC career, leading the club to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup double in 2000 with the game-winning assist in the team’s first MLS Cup championship before adding a U.S. Open Cup title in 2004.
Klein contributed 43 goals and 54 assists in 235 games played for KC across all competition from 1998-2005, placing him second on the club’s all-time chart with 97 combined goals and assists. He won MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors twice (2002, 2005) and was an MLS All-Star in four straight seasons from 2002-2005.
On the field, Klein was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2001 and twice led the team in assists (2001 and 2004), while also finishing the 2002 season as the team’s top scorer. Off the field, Klein was chosen Kansas City’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2002 and 2003 for his active involvement in charitable causes.
2015 August 15 – Chris Klein interviewed by SKCtv
2015 August 15 – Chris Klein reflects on his career
2015 August 14 – KC Star Interview
But — a decade later — it isn’t his numerical contributions that stand out to his teammates.
“He was a fantastic teammate. I thought he was an incredible winner,” said Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes, who became teammates with Klein prior to the 2000 season.
2015 August 3 – Interview with Four Four Two Magazine
Chris Klein, New Zealand vs. USA, Richmond, Va.
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 had 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 lives in Newport Beach, Calif. with his wife Angela and three children Carson, Cami and Brielle.
