Leonard Griffin

For the American football player of the same name, see Leonard Griffin (American football).

Leonard Griffin

Personal information
Full name	Leonard Griffin
Date of birth	September 11, 1982 (1982-09-11)
Place of birth	Pasadena, California, United States
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Los Angeles Blues
Number	12
Youth career
2000–2003	UCLA Bruins
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003	Orange County Blue Star	18	(1)
2004–2006	Chicago Fire	18	(0)
2007	Portland Timbers	27	(2)
2007–2008	Columbus Crew	0	(0)
2008	Portland Timbers	29	(0)
2009	Los Angeles Galaxy	1	(0)
2009	→ Hollywood United Hitmen (loan)	2	(1)
2010	Austin Aztex	26	(2)
2011–	Los Angeles Blues	13	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 13, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Leonard Griffin (born September 11, 1982 in Pasadena, California) is an American soccer player currently playing for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.

Career

College and Amateur

Griffin attended Littlerock High School 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.

Professional

Upon graduating from UCLA, Griffin was drafted 11th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft 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 24, 2011, Griffin transfered to Los Angeles Blues of the newly formed USL Pro league.

Currently serves as an assistant coach for the Saint Mary's Men's Soccer Team. In his first season, he helped coach the team to a WCC Championship and an Elite 8 birth against #1 ranked University of North Carolina. Saint Mary's lost the game, and North Carolina went on to win the national championship game against University of Charlotte in the finals. Griffin has been instrumental in developing the Saint Mary's defense, which, in the 2011 season, was one of the strongest in the country both statistically, physically, mentally, emotionally, explosively, educationally, and aesthetically. Having played left back himself, Griffin was a key addition to the team staff in the Spring of 2011, particularly aiding the progress of outside backs Nathan Arambula, Patrick Watson, and Joel Fumia. Griffin coined the term "hardest working team in America" in pre-season training camp; a saying that spread like wildfire across the global soccer stage and gained undeniable notoriety among the worldwide sports media. Griffin is also known for his enthusiastic high-fives and congratulatory motivational sayings directed toward players exiting the game via substitution. Griffin is known to engage in friendly, yet still intensely competitive pickup basketball games with various members of the Saint Mary's athletic department and members of several other teams. He is known around campus as one of the most friendly coaches in the department, but won't hesitate to make it rain on his opposition in said pickup games.

Personal

Leonard is the older brother of fellow professional soccer player Maxwell Griffin.

External links

• MLS player profile