The Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy completed a four-player trade Friday, as a pair of forwards and midfielders swapped conferences. The Crew dealt midfielder Kyle Martino and forward John Wolyniec to the Galaxy in exchange for forward Joseph Ngwenya and midfielder Ned Grabavoy.
In order to make room among their senior international slots, the Crew waived defender/midfielder Duncan Oughton. The Galaxy waived defender Brian Dunseth, doing so in order to also lear a senior international slot.
Martino, 25, was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2002 and an All-Star for the Crew in 2003. The U.S. international has scored 10 goals and registered 19 assists in 106 career games, including one goal in six games this season.
"I am just extremely excited," Martino said. "When I was in the draft I was hoping to have this opportunity to play here. To make it to L.A. and be able to play for a championship organization, I am just extremely excited and looking forward to getting started."
Wolyniec, 29, joined the Crew via a trade with the MetroStars on June 7, 2005. In 107 career games, he has scored 24 goals and has 10 assists. Wolyniec began his MLS career in 1999 with his hometown MetroStars, spent time with the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution before returning to the Metros in 2003.
"I am really excited," said Wolyniec, who has appeared in one game this season. "To get a chance to play with the champions and to be a part of a team that won a double last year, is a great opportunity. I am really happy to join the team and am looking forward to helping the team in any way that I can."
The Galaxy have some holes to fill over the next couple of weeks with star Landon Donovan, forward Cornell Glen and defender Chris Albright off to Germany to play in the World Cup. The club had a strong need for attacking players, seeing as Donovan has figured in five of the team's six goals scored (one goal, four assists) this season.
"This trade makes us more competitive and will help us to continue to give our fans the Galaxy team that they expect and deserve," said L.A. Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas. "John Wolyniec is a man, and right now this team needs more men. He is big, strong and will run through a wall for you and I know he is licking his chops right now to score goals for the Galaxy. Kyle Martino is a dynamic and exciting player, and a change of scenery is going to do him good."
For Columbus, the deal reunites head coach Sigi Schmid with two players he drafted in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft while with the Galaxy. Ngwenya was chosen in the first round (third overall) while Grabavoy was selected in the second round (14th overall).
"It's one of those trades that I think benefits both teams," said Schmid. "Kyle Martino and John Wolyniec have both done well for The Crew and we wish them luck in their future endeavors with Los Angeles, but Ned Grabavoy and Joe Ngwenya are two young and very talented players who we are excited about and think they have a great future ahead of them."
Grabavoy, 22, scored one goal and had six assists in 34 career games for L.A. The former Indiana University star has played all seven games this season for the Galaxy, including two starts.
Ngwenya, 25, has appeared in 40 matches, starting 15, in his three-year stint with the Galaxy. He has played in two games this season, starting one. The native of Zimbabwe has four goals and two assists for his career.
Neither Dunseth nor Oughton had appeared in any games this season for the Galaxy or Crew, respectively.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
