Career
College and amateur Gardner played college soccer at the University of Cincinnati a starter as a freshman in 2001 to 2003. In 2002, was named second team All-Conference United States of America, he was tied for team lead with five assists. In 2003, Gardner led the team in points, tied for Bearcats’ team lead with six goals and led the team with six assists.
Gardner earned All C-United States of America first team honors, second team All-Region after leading the Bearcats to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament for only the second time in school history, and first team All-Ohio.
He also played for the Houston Toros in the USL Premier Development League. Professional On the strength Gardner"s single exceptional game for the United States U-20 national team in 2003, Gardner was offered a Project-40 contract before the 2004 season, which he signed.
He was drafted 13th overall in the 2004 Master of Library Science SuperDraft by Los Angeles Galaxy, but saw very little playing time with the team, appearing in only two games, playing 25 minutes. His stock rose prior to the 2006 season, as he turned in a strong performance in the CONCACAF Champions" Cup and started two of the first three games of the Master of Library Science season.
Unfortunately, he soon fell out of favor with then-coach Steve Sampson and would not see much playing time until Sampson was fired and replaced by Frank Yallop.
After Yallop"s arrival, Gardner started every Galaxy game and was even mentioned as a replacement at left-back when the Galaxy traded Todd Dunivant. Gardner scored his first Master of Library Science goal on July 8, 2006, against Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy eventually released Gardner on March 23, 2007.
When the USL Sounders were replaced by the Master of Library Science expansion team Seattle Sounders Football Club at the end of the 2008 season Gardner signed with the Carolina RailHawks in January 2009.
He played 47 regular season games for Carolina over the next two seasons, helping them to a divisional title and the final of the USSF Division 2 Pro League playoffs in 2010. Gardner made a return to Major League Soccer in 2011 when he signed with the Columbus Crew.
He made his Black & Gold debut on February 22, 2011 in leg 1 of the Crew"s CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final series against Real Salt Lake. On August 27, 2011, Gardner set an Master of Library Science record for fastest time between a goal and an own goal against the Seattle Sounders, scoring in the 73rd minute, and scoring an own goal in the 74th.
Gardner was left exposed by Columbus in the 2011 Master of Library Science Expansion Draft and was selected by expansion side Montreal Impact.
He stayed with Montreal through the 2012 season, but the club announced in November 2012 that he would not return in 2013. His rights were traded to Sporting Kansas City in exchange for a second-round 2013 Master of Library Science SuperDraft pick. Gardner was cut by Sporting on March 25, 2014.
In his last game on March 19 against Mexican club Cruz Azul, Gardner was substituted before halftime.
International In 2003 Gardner was invited to play in the United States Soccer Festival with the United States U-20 national team He assisted on the game"s only goal.
Sporting Kansas City Los Angeles Galaxy Seattle Sounders.