Columbus Crew SC today announced that forward Jairo Arrieta and defender Eric Gehrig were selected by Orlando City SC in today’s 2015 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft. After all current MLS clubs had the opportunity to protect 11 players, the draft – which took place via conference call – allowed the two MLS expansion sides to select up to two players from each club from a list of remaining available players. Current clubs that had players selected received allocation money in return, and per club and MLS policy, additional terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
The Black & Gold had previously announced in November that the club declined the 2015 option of Arrieta and that Gehrig was out of contract for next year, but both were formally on the roster at the end of the 2014 campaign, making them eligible for today’s Expansion Draft.
“Both Eric and Jairo have been exceptional team players and great guys to work with. We wish them well in their future at Orlando City SC,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “The Expansion Draft isn’t an easy process. Unfortunately we lost two players, but we’re confident with the group we have moving forward.”
Arrieta made 67 appearances – including 53 starts – over his three seasons with the Black & Gold. The Costa Rican originally signed with the club as a Discovery Signing on April 26, 2012 and was re-signed on December 18, 2013. During his time in Columbus, he scored 17 goals and added nine assists, including a personal MLS single-season best nine goals in 2012. He has also made 16 senior appearances for his native Costa Rica in international play.
Gehrig originally signed with Columbus on February 21, 2011 as a Discovery Signing. Over his four seasons in Black & Gold, the former Loyola University Chicago player made 46 appearances (32 starts), including setting career-highs with 20 appearances and 14 starts in 2014. He contributed one assist in MLS regular season play over the span. In 2013, the defender became the first recipient of the club’s Kirk Urso Heart Award after the honor was posthumously given to Urso in the inaugural year of its recognition.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC forward Jairo Arrieta and defender Eric Gehrig were selected by Orlando City SC in the 2015 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft. Crew SC acquires allocation money following the selections.
