Columbus Crew President and General Manager Jim Smith announced today that The Crew has acquired goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who returns to Major League Soccer after playing the past year in the Danish Superliga with Odense Boldklub. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“First of all I would like to thank Odense Boldklub for such a wonderful year in Denmark,” said Jordan. “It has been an amazing experience to play in the Superliga and experience soccer in a completely different environment. I am definitely a better player and person because of my time abroad. I came to Denmark to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new way of life, on and off the field. It has been an incredible experience for my wife (Lori) and I, one that we will never forget. How many people have an opportunity to learn a new language, enjoy a new way of life and be able to travel throughout Europe while playing the game you love?”
“When I left to play in Europe I told my agent that if I were to come back to MLS that the Columbus Crew would be where I wanted to play. Therefore, when this opportunity came up, I felt like I couldn’t pass it up. It is an organization that is committed to success. The Crew is an ambitious organization, and I am an ambitious person. That is why I am so excited about the challenge that we have ahead of us. What I like most about the Crew is that they have put together a team full of players that know how to get the job done. Now all I am looking forward to is putting everything else aside and just getting to work.”
While at OB, the 28-year-old Jordan appeared seven times with the first team and 14 with the reserves, compiling a 15-3-3 record with nine shutouts. A veteran of five MLS seasons (1998-2002, he returns to the league after a one-year hiatus. Jordan started 114 games for Dallas and compiled a 52-46-15 record, a 1.51 goals against average and 30 shutouts. He was a MLS All-Star in 1999 and was named the Burn’s 1999 Defender of the Year and 2002 Humanitarian of the Year. The Aurora, Colorado native was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (No. 10 overall) of the 1998 MLS College Draft.
“Matt is a seasoned veteran who is very familiar with Major League Soccer,” said Crew Head Coach Greg Andrulis. “In the off-season we wanted to create competition at every position and we feel we have done that. He is a very valuable addition to our team.”
Jordan started all 80 games of his college career at Clemson and was a NSCAA/Umbro first-team All-America selection in 1994 and 1997.
Position: Goalkeeper<br>
Height: 6-2<br>
Weight: 185<br>
Born: October 13, 1975, in Aurora, CO<br>
Hometown: Aurora, CO<br>
Citizenship: United States<br>
How Acquired: Signed on April 1, 2004 </p>
