Leonard Griffin
Encyclopedia
Leonard Griffin is an American
soccer player currently playing for Los Angeles Blues
in the USL Professional Division, on loan from Orlando City.
in Littlerock, California
, and was a four-year letterman in soccer. He was a three-time first team All-League honoree, and as a senior, he was a Los Angeles Daily News first team All-Area honoree, and set the school single-season record for goals (24 goals).
Griffin played college soccer
at the UCLA from 2000 to 2003. Griffin distinguished himself at the school, helping the team win a national championship in 2002, and being named an NCAA All-American
in 2003.
During his college years he also played with Orange County Blue Star
in the USL Premier Development League
, where he played alongside Jürgen Klinsmann
.
by the Fire. In his first year Griffin had trouble establishing himself in a single role, but instead played a variety of defensive positions for the Fire when needed, finishing with 330 minutes over 9 games. He saw 3 games for the Fire in 2005, and 6 in 2006. Griffin was waived by the Fire during the 2007 pre-season, and signed by USL First Division
side Portland Timbers
, joining former UCLA teammate and fellow defensive standout Scot Thompson
.
In September 2007, the Columbus Crew acquired his rights from the Chicago Fire, in exchange for the Crew's natural fourth-round selection in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. In April, he was waived by the Crew to make room for the addition of Gino Padula
. He then rejoined the Timbers for the 2008 season.
Griffin was signed by Los Angeles Galaxy
on January 7, 2009, but suffered an injury in pre-season which prevented him from playing. Upon his recovery, and with the MLS Reserve Division
having been scrapped at the end of 2008, Galaxy loaned Griffin to the Hollywood United Hitmen
of the USL Premier Development League
for part of the 2009 PDL season, to regain his match fitness levels. He scored a goal on his debut for Hollywood, in a May 30 game against the BYU Cougars. In late February 2010 his option was picked up by Austin Aztex
of the USSF Division 2.
Griffin stayed with Austin for the 2010 season. On March 23, 2011, he was loaned by the club (which had moved from Austin to become Orlando City S.C. after the 2010 season) to Los Angeles Blues
of the USL Pro
league.
Currently serves as an assistant coach with the women's soccer program at California State University, San Bernardin (NCAA DII)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Professional Division, on loan from Orlando City.
College and Amateur
Griffin attended Littlerock High SchoolLittlerock High School
Littlerock High School is a public, co-educational high school built in 1989, located in Littlerock, California. The school serves Littlerock and its surrounding communities such as Lake Los Angeles, Pearblossom, and Llano...
in Littlerock, California
Littlerock, California
Littlerock is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 1,377 at the 2010 census, down from 1,402 at the 2000 census...
, and was a four-year letterman in soccer. He was a three-time first team All-League honoree, and as a senior, he was a Los Angeles Daily News first team All-Area honoree, and set the school single-season record for goals (24 goals).
Griffin played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at the UCLA from 2000 to 2003. Griffin distinguished himself at the school, helping the team win a national championship in 2002, and being named an NCAA All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 2003.
During his college years he also played with Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, where he played alongside Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
.
Professional
Upon graduating from UCLA, Griffin was drafted 11th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft2004 MLS SuperDraft
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 16, 2004, was the fifth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft, and was most notable for the selection of one of the youngest athletes in American sporting history, Freddy Adu, with the first pick.-Player...
by the Fire. In his first year Griffin had trouble establishing himself in a single role, but instead played a variety of defensive positions for the Fire when needed, finishing with 330 minutes over 9 games. He saw 3 games for the Fire in 2005, and 6 in 2006. Griffin was waived by the Fire during the 2007 pre-season, and signed by USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
side Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
, joining former UCLA teammate and fellow defensive standout Scot Thompson
Scot Thompson
Scot Thompson is an American soccer player who currently play for Portland Timbers U23's in the USL Premier Development League....
.
In September 2007, the Columbus Crew acquired his rights from the Chicago Fire, in exchange for the Crew's natural fourth-round selection in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. In April, he was waived by the Crew to make room for the addition of Gino Padula
Gino Padula
Gino Padula is an Argentine footballer.-Career:Padula started his career with Argentine club River Plate in 1996 before moving to Huracán in 1997. In 1998 he moved to Europe to play for Xerez in Spain. His move to Europe was facilitated by the fact that he is the holder of an Italian passport...
. He then rejoined the Timbers for the 2008 season.
Griffin was signed by Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
on January 7, 2009, but suffered an injury in pre-season which prevented him from playing. Upon his recovery, and with the MLS Reserve Division
MLS Reserve Division
The MLS Reserve Division is an USA soccer league for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer.It was inaugurated on April 9, 2005, with the first official reserve game being a 2-0 victory by Chivas USA over the host San Jose Earthquakes, and disbanded after the 2008 season.The reserve division...
having been scrapped at the end of 2008, Galaxy loaned Griffin to the Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen is an American soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division, having switched from the...
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for part of the 2009 PDL season, to regain his match fitness levels. He scored a goal on his debut for Hollywood, in a May 30 game against the BYU Cougars. In late February 2010 his option was picked up by Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of the USSF Division 2.
Griffin stayed with Austin for the 2010 season. On March 23, 2011, he was loaned by the club (which had moved from Austin to become Orlando City S.C. after the 2010 season) to Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league.
Currently serves as an assistant coach with the women's soccer program at California State University, San Bernardin (NCAA DII)