TicketsFeb. 22, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Former University of Cincinnati men's soccer standout Josh Gardner signed a multi-year contract with the Columbus Crew, the club announced on Monday (Feb. 21).
Originally drafted by the LA Galaxy in the first round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft (No.13 overall), the 5-11, native Freeport, Texas, native joins the Crew after spending the last four seasons in the USL-1 (Seattle Sounders 2007-08) and the USSF D-2 (Carolina RailHawks 2009-10). Gardner was UC's first MLS draft choice.
While at Carolina, Gardner saw action in 54 matches recording six goals and seven assists and helping the RailHawks reach the USSF D-2 championship match in 2010. Prior to the 2009 season, he spent two years with the Seattle Sounders, winning the USL-1 Championship in 2007 while tallying seven goals and three assists in 52 matches played.
Gardner joined the Galaxy in 2004 and was a member of the team that won the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup double in 2005. While in LA, he logged 1,096 minutes in 21 games played, recording one goal over three seasons.
Gardner played at the University of Cincinnati in 2001-03, where he appeared in all 60 matches during that time. As a freshman, he was one of three players on the team to start all 19 games that season. As a sophomore, he led the team with five assists and was named Second-Team All-Conference USA. In his final season, he tied for the team lead in goals (six) and assists (six) while starting every game of the season.
Gardner joins Omar Cummings of the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids as former Bearcats in Major League Soccer.