Danny O'Rourke
Encyclopedia
Danny O'Rourke is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew
in Major League Soccer
.
in Columbus, Ohio
. He was captain during the 2000 season, during which they won the state championship. Named Ohio Capital Conference player of the year, All-Ohio Capital Conference First Team, All-District, And All-State.
O'Rourke played college soccer
for Indiana University
from 2001 to 2004, starting every game he played in during his four years. Selected as All-Big 10 as a sophomore, junior, and senior, O'Rourke was named a first team All-American
his senior season, also winning the Hermann Trophy
while leading Indiana to a second consecutive NCAA Championship
over UC Santa Barbara. O'Rourke finished his career at Indiana having played in 83 games, registering two goals and five assists. During his collegiate career, O'Rourke played for three teams in the amateur Premier Development League. In 2000, he spent time with the Dayton Gemini
. In 2003, he played for the Columbus Shooting Stars
and in 2002 and 2004 with the Chicago Fire Premier
.
with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft
. He began the year as a starter before losing his spot to Ricardo Clark
. Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, he moved to Houston for the 2006 season, but was traded to New York Red Bulls for Adrian Serioux
a week before the season started.
O'Rourke was selected in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft
by Toronto FC
, but was almost immediately traded to the Columbus Crew
along with William Hesmer for a partial allocation.
In his first years playing for MLS, he was considered as one of the bright young prospects at midfield. In 2008, he shifted to center back. In 2009, O'Rourke has played a mix of midfield and defender positions.
at Colorado State University
and professionally in the NFL for the Houston Oilers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
High School and College
O'Rourke played high school soccer at Worthington Kilbourne High SchoolWorthington Kilbourne High School
Worthington Kilbourne High School is located in Columbus, Ohio and is part of the Worthington City School District. The school had an enrollment of approximately 1,357 students in the 2009-2010 school year. Kilbourne was named after James Kilbourne, the founder of the city of Worthington. The...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. He was captain during the 2000 season, during which they won the state championship. Named Ohio Capital Conference player of the year, All-Ohio Capital Conference First Team, All-District, And All-State.
O'Rourke played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
for Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
from 2001 to 2004, starting every game he played in during his four years. Selected as All-Big 10 as a sophomore, junior, and senior, O'Rourke was named a first team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
his senior season, also winning the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
while leading Indiana to a second consecutive NCAA Championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
over UC Santa Barbara. O'Rourke finished his career at Indiana having played in 83 games, registering two goals and five assists. During his collegiate career, O'Rourke played for three teams in the amateur Premier Development League. In 2000, he spent time with the Dayton Gemini
Dayton Gemini
Dayton Gemini, originally known as Dayton Gems, were an American soccer team, founded in 2000, who were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise was...
. In 2003, he played for the Columbus Shooting Stars
Columbus Shooting Stars
Columbus Shooting Stars were an American soccer team, founded in 2003, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, for just one season...
and in 2002 and 2004 with the Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
.
Professional
O'Rourke was drafted by the San Jose EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft
2005 MLS SuperDraft
The 2005 MLS SuperDraft, held in Baltimore, Maryland on January 14, 2005, was the sixth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Expansion club Real Salt Lake had the first pick as the result of a coin toss . RSL drafted Under-17 midfielder Nikolas Besagno with the first selection...
. He began the year as a starter before losing his spot to Ricardo Clark
Ricardo Clark
Ricardo Clark is an American soccer player who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga.-High School and College:...
. Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, he moved to Houston for the 2006 season, but was traded to New York Red Bulls for Adrian Serioux
Adrian Serioux
Adrian Serioux is a Canadian soccer player who is currently a free agent.-Club career:After playing college soccer for the University of New Haven, Serioux started his pro career with the Toronto Lynx in the A-League. He then moved to England to join Millwall...
a week before the season started.
O'Rourke was selected in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft
2006 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2006 MLS Expansion Draft, held on November 17, 2006 was a special draft for MLS expansion team Toronto FC. Toronto FC selected 10 players from a pool of players from current MLS clubs.-Format:...
by Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, but was almost immediately traded to the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
along with William Hesmer for a partial allocation.
In his first years playing for MLS, he was considered as one of the bright young prospects at midfield. In 2008, he shifted to center back. In 2009, O'Rourke has played a mix of midfield and defender positions.
Personal
Danny's father, Dan O'Rourke, played footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
at Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
and professionally in the NFL for the Houston Oilers.
Columbus Crew
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
MLS Cup (1): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Supporter's Shield (2): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
, 20092009 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...
Indiana University
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (2): 20032003 Division I Men's College Cup2003 Division I Men's NCAA College Cup was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I across the nation who played for the NCAA Championship. This year's College Cup Final Four was held at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher...
, 20042004 Division I Men's College CupThe 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I. This year's College Cup Final Four was held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher seeded team. The final was held on...
Individual
- Hermann TrophyHermann TrophyThe Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
: 2004 - NCAA Division I First-Team All-America: 2004