The Houston Dynamo shored up their back line on Monday by swinging a deal with the Portland Timbers to acquire Jordan Graye.
In exchange for Graye, the Dynamo sent their natural fourth-round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft to the Timbers. The Timbers had selected Graye from D.C. United in the MLS Expansion Draft last month.
Graye, 23, completed his first professional season in 2010 with hometown club United, making 20 starts and playing 1,662 minutes in MLS play, fourth on the team. Graye can play either outside back position.
“Jordan is a promising young defender who is known for being a good athlete,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said in a statement. “He was pretty unheralded but played a lot of games for DC last year. I’m looking forward to having him in Houston and helping him continue to grow as a player.”
Graye played in the D.C. United Academy while in high school but was drafted by the club after five years at the University of North Carolina. After seeing minimal college action in his first two seasons, one of which he redshirted, Graye saw increased playing time in 2007 and became a regular starter on squads that reached the NCAA College Cup in 2008 and 2009. He was selected by D.C. United in the fourth round of last year’s MLS SuperDraft.
“I’m glad to come to Houston, and I already know some people on the team like Corey Ashe and Tyler Deric from UNC,” Graye said. “They seem to enjoy playing for Houston, and I hear good things about the coaches, so I’m looking forward to getting a chance to play.”
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