COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that the club has acquired the rights to defender Leonard Griffin from the Chicago Fire, in exchange for the Crew's natural fourth-round selection in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Griffin was drafted by Chicago in the second round (No. 11 overall) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire and appeared in 18 games with the Fire over three seasons. He appeared in a career-high nine games as rookie in 2004, while playing multiple defensive positions on the Fire back line. He then appeared in three games in 2005 and six in 2006. Chicago waived Griffin during the 2007 pre-season, but retained his MLS rights. He signed with USL First Division side Portland Timbers in March and has been a defensive stalwart for the club throughout the 2007 season, while also registering two goals.
Griffin played his collegiate soccer at UCLA from 2000 to 2003, where he was a standout on the Bruins defense. In his senior season, he was named First-Team All-Pac 10, while leading a UCLA defense that tied a school-record with a meager 0.52 goals against average. Griffin was named Honorable Mention All-Pac 10 in 2002, his junior season, and helped lead the squad to a championship in the 2002 NCAA Men's College Cup.
The Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it is currently in its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
