CARSON, Calif. - The Los Angeles Galaxy today acquired defender Kelly Gray and a second round draft pick from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for forward Nate Jaqua. A versatile member of the Dynamo's 2006 MLS Cup winning side, Gray can play anywhere across the backline as well as in midfield.
"Kelly is a good, young and versatile player who is a proven winner in this league and will be able to step in straight away and help the club," Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said.
A native of San Jose, Calif., Gray played his club soccer under the tutelage of current Galaxy assistant coach Paul Bravo in Northern California before spending three years at the University of Portland. He was selected by Chicago in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2002 MLS SuperDraft and was with the Fire for the first three and a half years of his MLS career, helping them win the 2003 U.S. Open Cup and reach the MLS Cup that year, before being traded to San Jose in 2005. Gray remained with the franchise when it moved to Houston in 2006 and appeared in 18 games last season as he helped the Dynamo claim the MLS Cup. This season Gray appeared in nine of the Dynamo's 14 games, collecting one assist, while starting four of Houston's last five games.
Acquired from Toronto FC in December, Jaqua appeared in all 10 of the Galaxy's regular season games this season, scoring once. The 25-year old, who has been capped twice by the U.S. National Team, also started both of the Galaxy's U.S. Open Cup games this season and scored the team's only goal in the 1-0 over Columbus on April 24.
Gray and the rest of the Galaxy are in action on Wednesday, July 4 night when they take on the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center at 7:30 p.m. This match will be followed by the Galaxy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, powered by KBIG 104.3 and tickets are on sale now. For tickets to this game or more information, please call 877-3GALAXY or visit the club's official website www.lagalaxy.com.
