Grella, Mears selected in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry Draft

Former New York Red Bulls attacker Mike Grella is off to the Columbus Crew via the Colorado Rapids, while ex-Atlanta United full-back Tyrone Mears is heading to Minnesota United after Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft saw the two selected in an otherwise quiet affair Friday.

Grella, 30, was selected by the Rapids, then traded to the Crew in exchange for second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

He made 79 appearances and scored 16 goals in three seasons with the Red Bulls after joining the side in 2015. However, his recent contributions to the team were minimal, as Grella featured just eight times in 2017, recording zero goals or assists.

The former Leeds United, Brentford, and Bury man now joins the Crew with the hope of finding more playing time.

Meanwhile, Mears, 34, spent last season with Atlanta, playing 21 times and recording a goal and an assist in just over 1,500 minutes of play. Before that, the once-capped Jamaica international played for the Seattle Sounders, where he was a key part of the team's back line, featuring 74 times and racking up a goal and six assists. He joins a Minnesota team which is desperate for defensive help, having conceded a league-high 70 goals last season.

Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft is set for next Thursday, with a key difference being that clubs can renegotiate with players instead of taking them at their contract options, as is the case in the first round. The second stage has historically been busier, and this year's iteration has players like Lloyd Sam, Dillon Powers, Charlie Davies, Maurice Edu, and Victor Bernardez all available for selection.