MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew Selects Ian Joy in Supplemental Draft

Published on February 28, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Crew President/General Manager Jim Smith and head coach Greg Andrulis announced today that the team has selected 21-year-old defender Ian Joy in the 2003 Supplemental draft. The Crew had the seventh pick in the draft. The only other players selected in the supplemental draft were Brian Ching by San Jose with the first pick and Scott Vallow by Colorado with the eighth selection. Every other team passed.

"Ian is another quality young American prospect," said Andrulis. "He showed enough good things in Portugal to give him another look in Florida. He is competing for a roster spot."

Joy is a left-footed defender who was born in San Diego but his family moved to Scotland when he was three and eventually settled in Manchester, England. He joined first division side Tranmere Rovers as a youth trainee when he was 16 and signed his first pro contract a year later at age 17.

The 5-8, 160-pound Joy then moved to second division Stirling Albion in Scotland in early 2000 and then to third division Montrose in October of 2000, where he was able to break into the first team, starting 26 games and scoring two goals.

Joy then returned to England for the 2001-2002 season with third division team Kidderminster Harriers. The left-back earned a first-team spot, playing in 20 games (17 starts). A coaching change with Kidderminster limited him to 10 games during the first half of the 2002-2003 season before Joy made the decision to return to the country of his birth place and pursue a career in Major League Soccer.

"This has been and will continue to be one of our most competitive training camps ever," said Smith. "By drafting Ian, it will only add to the quality of this year's camp."

The San Diego native made his U.S. Under-18 National Team debut in 1998, playing in 12 matches (11 starts) for the Red, White & Blue and recording one assist. He played and started 16 games for the U-18's in 1999 and made is U-20 debut in 2000, starting three games. His most recent call-up to the U.S. side was for a U-23 camp in Huddersfield, England in 2002. Joy is currently in England but will join the team in South Florida.

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