Gardner signed with the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division in 2007, and quickly became their starting left midfielder, helping them win the USL1 Championship in his first year with the team.

Gardner made a return to Major League Soccer in 2011 when he signed with the Columbus Crew.

[3] 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.

[6] His rights were traded to Sporting Kansas City in exchange for a second-round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick.

[8] In 2003 Gardner was invited to play in the US Soccer Festival with the United States U-20 national team.