JAMAICA, N.Y. -- Former St. John’s University men’s soccer All-American Jeff Matteo signed a developmental contract this week the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

Matteo joins the Crew after spending the early portion of the 2003 season with New York/New Jersey MetroStars.

A 2002 graduate of the University, Matteo was selected by the Crew with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 MLS Draft. After attending training camp with the team, he played in the Italian third division (Serie C1) for Monza, before returning to finish the USL D3 Pro League season with the Westchester Flames. Matteo played in five games for the Flames, tallying five points on one goal and three assists.

Matteo was a four-year standout for the Red Storm, leading the program to two BIG EAST Tournament titles and the team’s second-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four. As a senior, he guided St. John’s to a 17-3-3 overall record and led the squad in scoring with a career-high nine goals and five assists for 23 points. He was named the BIG EAST Conference’s Midfielder of the Year, was a first-team all-conference selection, first-team All-Region selection and a second-team All-America.

He finished his career at St. John’s having played in 88 career games and leading the team to a 59-19-11 record in that span. Matteo had 55 career points, with 17 goals and 21 assists.

Other Red Storm soccer alumni continue to make their mark in the professional ranks, led by Matteo’s classmate Shalrie Joseph, who is starring in his rookie season with the New England Revolution. Joseph, a second-team All-American in 2001, has started seven games and appeared in eight for the Revolution, who advanced to the MLS Championship game last year.