The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed defender Ryan Junge (pronounced Jung), its second-round selection (No. 15 overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft, to a developmental contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
Junge, who participated in portions of the Crew's preseason, recently resumed training with the club after completing his senior year at Creighton and he has started all three Reserve Division matches. He is scheduled to graduate in December.
A 22-year-old native of Omaha, Neb., Junge was a first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and All-Midwest Region selection as a senior, having helped lead Creighton to nine shutouts and 0.95 goals-against average. He also showed some attacking ability, scoring two goals and finishing second on the team with five assists. As a junior, he was named to the All-MVC second team and was one of only four Creighton players to start all 23 matches.
Junge's three-year career at Creighton followed a freshman campaign at NAIA Hastings College, in which he was named the NAIA Region IV Defensive MVP while leading the Broncos to a no. 3 national ranking and a 23-2-0 record.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members and the U.S. Open Cup champion in 2002, it recently opened its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
No. 27 - Ryan Junge
(Pronounced: Jung)
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: September 7, 1984 (Omaha, Nebraska)
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Citizenship: United States
Last Team: Creighton (NCAA)
How Acquired: Selected in the second round (No. 15 overall) of the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
Professional Experience: Rookie
