Dynamo Acquire Defender Jordan Graye from Portland

The Houston Dynamo traded their natural 4th round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft for 23-year old defender Jordan Graye. The young, athletic defender can play at either right or left fullback, positions the Dynamo needed depth at.

Graye started 20 games for DC United last season, primarily at right back, and should allow the Dynamo to move Andrew Hainault inside to his natural position with Graye taking over at right back.

This move makes a great deal of sense for the Dynamo and immediately re-tools their defensive back line which will likely feature Mike Chabala and Graye at the fullback spots, with Hainault and Bobby Boswell in central defense.

Graye excited to know new home for 2011 - HoustonDynamo.com

Here is the press release from the Dynamo about the trade:

The Houston Dynamo have acquired defender Jordan Graye in a trade with the Portland Timbers, the teams announced today. 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 in November.

Graye, 23, completed his first professional season in 2010 with hometown club D.C. 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. "He was pretty unheralded but played a lot of games for D.C. 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."