Crew sign Ann Arbor native to developmental contract

Story courtesy Columbus Crew Communications

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed forward/midfielder Cory Elenio to a developmental contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

Elenio was the Crew’s second-round selection (No. 20 overall) in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft out of the University of Evansville. He trained with Columbus during portions of the preseason and appeared in the club’s Reserve Division matches at D.C. United and Toronto FC as a guest player earlier this season. He recently began regular training with the squad after completing his final college semester at Evansville.

A 21-year-old native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Elenio finished his career at Evansville with 18 goals and 19 assists in four years. He was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Region team and the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team in 2006 and 2007, and was selected to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team in 2004. In 2007, he also became the 31st player in Evansville history to record 40 career points (55).

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 and U.S. Open Cup champion in 2002, it is currently in its 13th season overall and 10th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.