MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew re-signs defender Danny O'Rourke

November 26, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The MLS Cup-champion Columbus Crew announced today that defender Danny O'Rourke has been signed to a new multi-year contract. Per club and league policy, further terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are very excited to get Danny re-signed," said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. "He was a vital cog in our championship squad this season, following his extremely successful transition to central defense, and his durability is something we will certainly rely upon during a busy 2009 campaign. Furthermore, we are thrilled that one of Columbus' own will continue to wear black and gold."

O'Rourke, a former prep star at Worthington Kilbourne High School - where he captained the Wolves to the 2000 Division I state title at Crew Stadium - and M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner at Indiana University, originally joined the Crew prior to the 2007 season after being acquired from Toronto FC along with goalkeeper William Hesmer.

O'Rourke, who moved to center back from his previous role as a defensive midfielder prior to this season, has been a mainstay in the Crew starting lineup since his arrival in Columbus, starting in all 56 of the matches in which he has appeared. He was a key component in a stout Crew defense this season that allowed the third fewest goals (36) behind only the Houston Dynamo (32) and the Chicago Fire (33), while also registering a career-high four assists in helping his hometown squad to its second-ever Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular season record (17-7-6, 57 points).

"Obviously, I'm extremely happy to be able to continue my MLS career playing for the city where I was born and raised," O'Rourke said. "My teammates and I had a great run in bringing the Crew its first MLS Cup this season, and I'm excited for the chance to do it all again next season and beyond."

O'Rourke was named the Crew's 2007 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his willingness to give freely of his time to make public appearances and lend his name and image to support worthy causes including Keep Columbus Beautiful, Right To Play and the Conner Senn Memorial Match, which is played every spring between the Crew and Ohio State to raise funds for a scholarship fund honoring the memory of former Buckeye Senn, a childhood friend of O'Rourke's who collapsed on the field during a game in 2001 and died of a congenital heart defect.

Prior to his arrival in Columbus, the 25-year-old spent the 2005 season with the San Jose Earthquakes (now Houston Dynamo) - which selected him in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft - and the 2006 campaign with the New York Red Bulls. He has appeared in 97 career games, starting 95 of them, while totaling seven assists.

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members and winners of MLS Cup 2008, MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004 and 2008 and the 2002 U.S. Open Cup, it recently completed its 13th season overall and 10th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.

Check out the Columbus Crew SC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 26, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central