Crew Re-Signs Defender Jed Zayner
January 7, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has re-signed defender Jed Zayner to a four-year contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
Zayner, 25, was originally selected by the Crew in the second round (No. 13 overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation adidas signee after three standout seasons at perennial NCAA-power Indiana University. He was a member of the Hoosiers' 2004 National Championship squad, alongside current teammate Danny O'Rourke.
Zayner was slowed by injuries in his first two MLS seasons, missing the entire 2006 season after suffering a torn ACL and a cartilage tear in his left knee in early April. He returned to make his MLS debut on June 20, 2007 against K.C. and experienced a breakout season in 2009, making 20 appearances, 16 of them starts, while registering one assist for a team club that set a club record for goals allowed in the regular season with 31. He was graduated from the Generation adidas program following the 2009 campaign.
"Jed is coming off a very good season and I'm happy that we were able to reach agreement with him," said head coach Robert Warzycha. "He earned a lot more playing time and proved he is a good player who can contribute."
In his four seasons with the Crew, Zayner has made a total of 28 appearances, with 18 starts, and one assist. He made two starts in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League - both of them in wins (against Puerto Rico and Saprissa) - and also has three U.S. Open Cup starts to his credit. In addition, he made 20 appearances, with 17 starts, in the MLS Reserve Division in 2007 and 2008 and appeared in friendlies against Aston Villa (England), Independiente (Argentina) and West Ham United (England).
Foundedby 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 championship and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is entering its 15th season overall and 12th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 7, 2010
- Earthquakes Hire Former Canadian International And MLS Defender Mark Watson As Assistant Coach - San Jose Earthquakes
- Crew Re-Signs Defender Jed Zayner - Columbus Crew SC
- New York Red Bulls Name Hans Backe Head Coach - New York Red Bulls
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