Crew acquires Hector Jimenez and First Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection from LA Galaxy

PHILADELPHIA – The Columbus Crew today announced that it has acquired midfielder Hector Jimenez and a First Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection (14^th overall) from the LA Galaxy in exchange for the Crew’s Second Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection (23^rd overall) and allocation money. Per club and MLS policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

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“Hector is an exciting young player and we are pleased to welcome him to our club,” said Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "He is a player that possesses several strong attacking attributes and will help our squad immediately."

Jimenez, 25, has played three seasons for the Galaxy and has two MLS Cup victories to his name following the Galaxy’s title runs in his first two seasons (2011, 2012). In three campaigns, the midfielder has made 43 appearances and has recorded four goals and six assists. Jimenez set career highs last season and scored three goals and recorded four assists in 26 appearances. He also earned eight appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League and a single appearance each season during the Galaxy’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup runs from 2011-2013. 

Drafted by the Galaxy in the Second Round (34^th overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Jimenez helped the Galaxy to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in his rookie season. At Cal from 2006-2010, the former Golden Bear was a three-time First Team All-Pac 10 (2008-2010) and finished second on Cal’s all-time assist list in program history (28).

The midfielder was also a member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. in 2004 and 2005.

On Monday, the Crew acquired the rights to defender Michael Parkhurst from the New England Revolution in exchange for the Crew’s natural First Round selection (fourth overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money. 

Following today’s transaction with LA, the Crew now holds two selections in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft: a First Round selection (14^th overall from LA) and the Crew’s natural selection of the Third Round (fourth pick, 42^nd overall). The first two rounds will take place on Thursday, January 16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 

The Crew’s current 28-man* roster follows:

Goalkeepers (4): Steve Clark, Matt Lampson, Brad Stuver, Daniel Withrow

Defenders (8): Chad Barson, Waylon Francis, Ross Friedman, Eric Gehrig, Agustin Viana, Tyson Wahl, Matt Wiet, Josh Williams

Midfielders (11): Bernardo Anor, Ethan Finlay, Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Justin Meram, Daniel Paladini, Shawn Sloan, Ben Speas, Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp, Matt Walker

Forwards (5): Jairo Arrieta, Ryan Finley, Federico Higuain, Dominic Oduro, Aaron Schoenfeld

*Note:Defender Michael Parkhurst is set to be officially added to the Crew’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

TRANSACTION: Crew acquires Hector Jimenez and a First Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection (14^th overall) from the LA Galaxy in exchange for the Crew’s Second Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection (23^rd overall) and allocation money.