Player Profiles

FEATURED ALUMNI

Seth Stammler

Former MLS midfielder and defender who spent his entire seven-year professional career with the New York Red Bulls. Drafted 18th overall in 2004, he appeared in 142 league matches and was known for his reliable two-way play. A Columbus native and University of Maryland alum, Stammler was also recognized for his leadership and philanthropy, earning multiple club Humanitarian of the Year honors before retiring in 2010.

Photo: Courtesy of the Getty Images.

Taha Habroune

American midfielder for the Columbus Crew and a Columbus native who became the first player to progress from the Crew Academy to Crew 2 and the First Team. He joined the Academy in 2019 and signed a homegrown contract in 2024. Internationally, he has represented the U.S. at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups and was named MVP of the 2023 Generation adidas Cup.

Photo: Courtesy of the Columbus Crew.

Brittany Persaud

Former forward/midfielder who starred at Wright State University, where she became the program’s all-time assists leader. She went on to play professionally in Sweden with Kungsbacka DFF and in the Netherlands with ADO Den Haag and Telstar. Internationally, she captained the Guyana Women’s National Team, helping lead the program to its first-ever Women’s Gold Cup qualification. Persaud credits Blast FC with fostering the leadership and discipline that supported her success beyond the game.

Danny O’Rourke

Former MLS midfielder and defender who built a successful professional career following an outstanding youth and college career in Ohio. A state champion at Worthington Kilbourne High School, he went on to star at Indiana University, starting every match from 2001–2004, earning First Team All-America honors, and winning the 2004 Hermann Trophy. Drafted fourth overall in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, O’Rourke played for several MLS clubs, including the Columbus Crew, and helped Columbus win the 2008 MLS Cup before retiring in 2014.

Photo: Courtesy of the Columbus Crew.

Chris Leitch

Former MLS defender whose professional career spanned a decade. A standout at the University of North Carolina, he led the Tar Heels to the 2001 NCAA Championship and set school records for games played and starts. Drafted by the Columbus Crew in 2002, Leitch became a reliable and versatile fullback for the MetroStars/New York Red Bulls and the San Jose Earthquakes before transitioning into coaching and executive leadership roles within MLS.

Photo: Courtesy of the Columbus Crew.

Konrad Warzycha

Former MLS midfielder who played for Sporting Kansas City and the Columbus Crew. Drafted in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, he joined Columbus in 2013 and played under his father, Robert Warzycha, becoming part of just the second father–son coach-player duo in MLS history. A four-year standout at Ohio State and an All-Big Ten First Team selection, Warzycha grew up in Dublin and remains closely connected to the central Ohio soccer community.

Photo: Courtesy of the Columbus Crew.