Crew Signs Grendi to Developmental Contract

The MLS Cup-champion Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed midfielder Alex Grendi to a developmental contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

Grendi was selected by the Crew in the third round (No. 45 overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and has trained with the Black & Gold throughout the duration of its preseason camp. He has appeared in six of the club’s eight preseason matches and picked up a pair of assists.

"Alex wasn't much of a known quantity going into the (MLS Player) Combine (in January), but he showed well there and has proven during the preseason that he can make a contribution,” said technical director Brian Bliss. “He’s making steady progress and adds depth at a couple of different positions in our attack.”

 A 21-year old native of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Grendi notched eight goals and 20 assists in 65 career games at the University of Pennsylvania. He finished his four-year collegiate career third on Penn’s all-time assists list, and was twice named the team’s Offensive MVP. He was also selected to the All-Ivy League First Team and the NSCAA All-Northeast third team in his senior season, and was also an All-Ivy selection as a sophomore in 2006.

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 is currently the reigning MLS Cup Champion and it has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004 and 2008. It will open its 14th season and defense of its MLS Cup championship on Saturday, March 21, at the Houston Dynamo and will open its 11th season in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 28, against Toronto FC.

Alex Grendi – No. 3

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-11

Weight: 165

Born: July 7, 1987, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Hometown: Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Citizenship: United States

College: Pennsylvania

Roster Designation: Domestic (Developmental)

Last Team: Pennsylvania (NCAA)

How Acquired: Selected in the third round (No. 45 overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

More News

The Crew Review Home