The Columbus Crew on Friday announced it had acquired a pair of former MetroStars defenders.
The Crew added Ezra Hendrickson via a trade with C.D. Chivas USA and signed Chris Leitch to a contract.
Columbus did not need to waive a player to create a roster spot for Leitch because the club placed rookie defender Jed Zayner on season-ending injured reserve. Leitch’s rights were acquired by the Crew on March 28 as part of the Eddie Gaven for Edson Buddle trade with the New York Red Bulls.
“It’s nice to come back home,” Leitch said in a statement. “Obviously I grew up following the team and I am glad to be a part of the organization again. I just want to come in and work hard and help out any way I can.”
The 5-11, 165-lb. Leitch, a native of Pickerinton, Ohio, played with the Metros, now called and re-branded as the Red Bulls, from 2003-05.
“It’s good to have Chris with our team,” Crew coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement. “He is a player with MLS experience and is a local boy. And he comes with a great attitude every day.”
Leitch, a five-year MLS veteran, started his MLS career with the Crew in 2002 after he was drafted in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft. He was traded to the Metros prior to the 2003 season.
The 27-year-old Leitch has appeared in 85 games, including 76 starts, and has recorded three assists. He also was named the Metros' 2005 defender of the year.
The Crew acquired Hendrickson from Chivas in exchange for a conditional pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
To make room for Hendrickson, the Crew waived defender Joel Kitamirike. Hendrickson, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, became a U.S. citizen in 1996.
Hendrickson, 34, who played for the Metros for a while in 1997, performed for Schmid with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 1999-2003.
“I am happy to be rejoining my former coach,” Hendrickson said in a statement. “I won three trophies with Sigi and the Crew is at a point where they made a lot of changes and are heading in the right direction. With my experience, I want to come in and help out wherever I am needed.”
Hendirckson, a 10-year MLS veteran, did not appear in any games for Chivas this season after starting 31 games for the club in 2005. The native of Layou, St. Vincent, has appeared in 206 MLS games, including 177 starts. He has totalled 21 goals and 28 assists. Hendrickson has also seen action in 31 playoff matches, starting 26. He has five goals and three assists.
“Adding Ezra is a big plus for us,” Schmid in a statement. “He has championship experience and is a player who I have a long and positive history with and who will be a valuable addition to our team.”
The 6-3, 185-lb. Hendrickson has helped two clubs capture MLS Cup titles, his first with Los Angeles in 2002 and again with D.C. in 2004. Besides Los Angeles (1997-2003), D.C. (2004) and Chivas (2005-2006), he also also played for New York (1997) and Dallas (2003).
He has been a member of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines National Team since 1995 and has served as its captain on numerous occasions. Hendrickson attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
