The Columbus Crew has acquired forward A.J. Wood from the MetroStars in exchange for midfielder Brian Bliss, the team announced July 8. Wood, a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team that competed in Atlanta, played 21 games for the Metros last season, scoring five goals and adding two assists for 12 points. He has two goals and an assist in 13 games for the team this year. “We are very fortunate to acquire a player of A.J.’s caliber,” said Crew head coach Tom Fitzgerald. “He has won championships at all levels he has played, including four NCAA titles at UVA [University of Virginia, 1991-94], and we filled a need in getting a strong, hard-working quality forward that can finish and be a powerful one-two punch with Brian McBride.” Bliss, a former U.S. international who returned home to play in MLS after spending many years playing in Germany, suffered through a difficult 1996 season, as he played in only 19 games last season due to a ruptured groin. He scored one goal in 1996, and has also tallied once in 12 appearances this season.