The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed midfielder Brian Carroll to a four-year contract extension. His current deal runs through this season. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
Carroll, 28-year old native of Springfield, Va., is currently in his third season with the Black & Gold after being acquired via trade from the San Jose Earthquakes on Nov. 26, 2007. He has been a stalwart in the Crew’s midfield since joining the club, starting and appearing in 73 of the club’s 77 matches, including playoffs, in that time, while also appearing in five of the Crew’s six matches in its run to the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Carroll also has the distinction of being the only Crew player to appear in every single match – regular season, playoffs and U.S. Open Cup – of the club’s 2008 MLS Cup Championship season.
“Brian has been key part of our core group and an integral part of our success over the last three seasons,” said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. “His professionalism and commitment are second to none and we are thrilled to be able to keep him in Black & Gold.”
For his career, Carroll has appeared in 188 matches, with 173 starts, while totaling three goals and 14 assists. He was originally selected by D.C. United in the second round (No. 11 overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft after a successful career at Wake Forest University. Carroll also represented the United States at the Under-20 and U-23 levels, prior to his seven appearances at the senior level.
He has enjoyed one of the most successful runs ever for an MLS player of the last four-plus seasons, as he has been a vital member of the last four MLS Supporters’ Shield winners (Columbus Crew: 2008 & 2009, D.C. United: 2006 & 2007) and looks to add a fifth consecutive trophy this season with the Black & Gold.
Following the two-week MLS World Cup hiatus, the Crew returns to action this Saturday, June 26, at home against Carroll’s former club, D.C. United. Game time at Crew Stadium is 7:30 p.m.
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 won its first MLS Cup Championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is currently in its 15th season overall and 12th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
No. 16 – Brian Carroll
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Born: July 10, 1981 (Fairfax, VA)
Hometown: Springfield, VA
Citizenship: United States
2009 Team: Columbus Crew (MLS)
How Acquired: Acquired from San Jose, in exchange for Kei Kamara, on Nov. 26, 2007
Professional Experience: Columbus Crew, USA (2008-10); D.C. United (2003-07)
TRANSACTION:
Columbus Crew (MLS) – Signed M Brian Carroll to contract extension.
