Local coach intergalactic

Google Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Klein and a video of his infamous bicycle kick goal in the Superliga finals will show up. The kids in the Newport Mesa Soccer Club won’t have to view that incredible moment, they can just ask Klein to show them how to do it.

Klein, an 11-year veteran of Major League Soccer and a starter for the Galaxy, has decided to circulate throughout the 21 teams in the NMSC as a member of the coaching staff.

The idea of getting a professional athlete out to any youth sports practice is relatively unheard of and the fact that Klein, 32, has decided to join the coaching staff is remarkable. After being traded to the Galaxy in mid-season in 2007, Klein became a Newport Coast resident and eventually started checking out the different local soccer clubs. But it was the Newport Mesa Soccer Club that caught his attention.

Prior to joining the staff, Klein had only made a guest appearance as a Galaxy player at one NMSC practice. But after settling into the community with his wife and two kids, he decided to contact club president Mark Arblaster and start helping with the players. Now he is making his appearances as a coach.

“It has been a dream come true,” Arblaster said. “To have an active professional player to come to your practices; it just doesn’t happen. And knock on wood, if all goes well, he will be with us for years to come.”

Klein will bring his knowledge and experience to the young players and is excited about how much the kids are able to retain. The advantage to having Klein work with the players is the speed at which the players will develop. He can bring the same aspects of training and playing that he does with the Galaxy to the young players at each level of the club. The important thing for Klein is to get across some of the basic technical aspects of soccer that he uses at the professional level.

“The development of kids is really where it’s at,” Klein said before starting a session with the U-10 girls’ team. “And that is what I love about this club.”

Klein, who played collegiately at Indiana, said he is excited about helping Newport Mesa players develop.

Klein has been working with youth sports ever since he became a professional and really enjoys the way young players soak up the knowledge he can provide. For him, the best part about working with the players at Newport Mesa is watching them start to improve their game within the span of one practice. Klein observes some of the kids make changes that even professional players have difficulty making.

Having good players to work with does not hurt either.

“I have already seen a handful of kids that are very, very good.” Klein said. “And [some] are more skillful than I was when I was at their age.”

Klein being around the practices has also elicited a few guest players to come out and train to see if they want to join NMSC.

The goal and reason for starting the NMSC three years ago was to raise the standard of play within the local soccer community. Having Klein involved will only further that goal.

Klein has already made a instant impact on the program and the kids as well. At each level within the club, the players are now receiving instruction from The Galaxy’s 2007 MVP.

Klein’s value to the local club has only begun to produce dividends.

MARK RATTO may be reached at (714) 966-4616.