Jack McInerney is on the move again.
On Tuesday, the Montreal Impact traded McInerney to Columbus Crew SC in exchange for Crew SC's natural 2016 MLS SuperDraft second-round selection.
McInerney, who turns 23 on Wednesday, has already scored 36 career MLS goals, which is tied for 22nd among all active players. Among that group, McInerney is the youngest by nearly three full years. The only other player in league history that’s scored more goals ahead of their 23rd birthday is former Columbus forward Stern John (44 goals).
“We believe Jack McInerney is going to make an immediate impression on the club and feel that his qualities will help him assimilate easily into our system,” Crew SC sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. “He’s a young player that possesses great timing with his movements and has a talent for scoring goals. His track record so far in this league has been outstanding, and we look forward to him contributing on the field for us.”
McInerney was drafted as a teenager by the expansion Philadelphia Union in 2010 and enjoyed a breakout near the end of the 2012 season after John Hackworth replaced Peter Nowak as Philly’s manager. The 2013 campaign is McInerney's best to day, as he scored 12 goals and earned a call-up to the US national team for the Gold Cup and an MLS All-Star nod.
The Atlanta-area native was traded to Montreal early in the 2014 season for Andrew Wenger, scoring seven goals in 21 starts for the Impact last year and four goals in 13 starts so far this season.
During Montreal’s run to the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League final, McInerney scored three goals in five appearances, including goals in the second leg of both the semifinal against Alajuelense and in the final against Club America.
McInerney also helped the Impact win the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship with three goals in four matches. But the young striker became expendable this season following recent moves that included the marquee addition of Didier Drogba and Monday’s acquisition of Costa Rican international Johan Venegas.
“Following our recent signings, we needed to make a move to free up a roster spot,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz. “We found a viable solution to make a move before the transfer window closed. We would like to thank Jack for his contributions to the club and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
