MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew Adds Three Players at 2012 MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 12, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Columbus Crew bolstered its roster with three selections at the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas, Thursday in Kansas City.

With its first-round pick (No. 10 overall), the Black & Gold selected 2011 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist and Creighton University graduate Ethan Finlay. The Crew then selected University of South Florida defender Aubrey Perry (No. 26 overall) and University of Central Florida midfielder Kevan George (No. 29) in the second round.

"Finlay is a player who can play as a right midfielder, as well as a second forward. He's very opportunistic around the goal and it seems like the ball is always looking for him," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "He's a very smart player and it seems he's always a step ahead of everyone.

"Perry is a very fast right back who is good on the ball and picks his runs when he goes forward. He will learn a lot from (Sebastian) Miranda and be good competition for him. As he gains experience, he can become a top right back.

"George is a very tall, physical central midfielder. He's a good passer who always wants the ball and can cover a lot of ground. He can be a very good link between the midfielders and the forwards."

A 5-9, 160-pound forward/midfielder from Marshfield, Wis., Finlay comes to Columbus after capping a stellar career at Creighton that saw him appear in 79 matches, tally 43 goals and 17 assists and lead the Bluejays to the 2011 NCAA Men's College Cup. In his senior year, he received a number of accolades including Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and was one of three finalists for the 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy.

"I'm super excited to have this opportunity to be with the Columbus Crew," Finlay said. "It's a great organization and I look forward to contributing to the team right off the bat and to being involved in the community. I hope this is going to be a long partnership and I can't thank the organization and the coach enough for selecting me."

In his four years at the University of South Florida, Perry established himself as a strong speedy right back, starting all 83 matches for the Bulls. He became the school's all-time leader in games played and started. A native of Ocoee, Fla., he is a graduate of the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., and was a member of the Crew Juniors USL Super-20s national championship team in 2010.

"I am very excited to join the Columbus Crew organization," Perry said. "I'm really looking forward to getting to work with the team and trying to contribute to the Crew's success."

George is a 6-2 native of Trinidad & Tobago whose family moved to Atlanta in 2002. In four seasons at Central Florida, he totaled six goals and 16 assists in 73 games. He was named to the All-Conference USA First Team three times (2008, 2010, 2011).

"My life has been filled with sacrifices and it's been a lifelong dream of mine to play professionally," George said. "Being selected in the draft is almost unreal. I am speechless and thankful to the Columbus Crew for thinking so highly of me and drafting me."

For more information on the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and the Crew's selections, please visit TheCrew.com.

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, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It will open its 17th season on March 10 at the Colorado Rapids and its 14th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium on March 24 against the Montreal Impact.

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