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11/22/2024 02:17:09 am

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MLS News & Rumors: Columbus Crew Trades Forward Adam Bedell To Orlando City For Future Draft Pick

Adam Bedell

(Photo : Getty Images) Former Columbus Crew forward Adam Bedell (center) surrounded by Crystal Palace defenders.

Columbus Crew SC traded forward Adam Bedell to Orlando City SC in exchange for the Lion's highest second round draft pick next season, as reported by the team's official website.

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The 23-year-old Livonia, Michigan native spent most of the year on loan to clubs in the United Soccer League, the third tier of the US soccer pyramid, as head coach Gregg Berhalter seemed to not have an open first team spot for the up and coming striker.

Berhalter has four forwards in the Crew's roster, but uses only one at a time, which is why the 45th overall pick of the 2014 SuperDraft did not make any regular season appearances for the squad this year.

The Black and Gold also have recently signed former Montreal forward Jack McInerney, paving the way for Bedell's departure.

"It was just the depth chart, that's what it is," the coach said, via the Columbus Dispatch. "Adam is one of the players who made the biggest percentage jump in performance from one year to the next. He's improved drastically. The fact is we've got Kei Kamara, Jack McInerney, and Aaron Schoenfeld right now, and we play with one striker."

In 2014, Bedell appeared in 16 MLS league matches, one MLS cup game, and a US Open Cup contest, scoring two goals in the process, before being loaned to the Austin Aztex and then the Richmond Kickers in 2015.

The details of the trade were not disclosed by the club as mandated by league policy.

"We're looking forward to working with Adam," Orlando City GM Paul McDonough said, as per the MLS official website. "We have seen him quite a few times over the last two years and played against him last preseason and U.S. Open Cup this year. Adam is a big athlete that brings a different look to our group of young striker options."

Reports were out that after Orlando's blowout 1-4 loss against Toronto on Wednesday, head coach Adrian Heath said that the "team needs some help." The acquisition of Bedell is expected to be one of several deals that the Lions are preparing this season.

Bedell is a candidate for inclusion in the Lion's starting lineup when they host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

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