The Crew re-signed forward Jason Garey, a little-used but effective striker, to a four-year contract yesterday.

Garey, 25, scored four goals and had two assists in 15 games last season.

"When he's been given opportunities, Jason has been someone who's delivered," Crew technical director Brian Bliss said.

Major League Soccer keeps contract information confidential, but Garey is expected to make about $80,000 in base pay plus performance incentives next season. He was paid a base salary of just under $53,000 last season, according to the MLS players union.

Garey started eight games and played 705 minutes last season. His scoring rate of once every 176 minutes was second among Crew forwards and trailed only

Guillermo Barros Schelotto (12 goals in 1,816 minutes).

Garey led the Crew with five goals in his rookie season in 2006. The former first-round draft pick has 13 goals and four assists in 61 MLS games.

He won the Hermann Trophy -- college soccer's equivalent of the Heisman -- while helping Maryland win the 2005 national championship.

"The Crew was pretty proactive in coming to me right after last season, saying they wanted me to be a part of things again," Garey said. "I'm excited to stay. I love the city, the fans and my teammates. Hopefully, I'll get some more playing time."

Garey was one of three players whose contracts expire at the end of the month. Defender Jed Zayner is close to re-signing with the Crew, sources said, and negotiations with Schelotto continue.

It is unlikely a deal with Schelotto will be reached before the end of the month. Sources have said that Schelotto will consider other options in his native Argentina and elsewhere in MLS before deciding whether to take a pay cut to return to the Crew.

Goalkeeper William Hesmer renegotiated his contract with the Crew and will receive a pay increase in 2010.

smitchell@dispatch.com