It would be difficult for Danny O’Rourke and Ned Grabavoy to know each other much better.
They’ve played together since they were teenagers and they were roommates for three years at Indiana, helping the Hoosiers win two straight NCAA titles in 2003 and 2004. Reunited for the first time since college this season in Columbus, the two 23-year-olds are building a new legacy as professionals.
“We don’t show up at training say, ‘Remember when we were at Indiana,’” said Grabavoy, a fourth-year player who won the 2005 MLS Cup with Los Angeles before being traded to the Crew midway through 2006. “I’ve never really tried to talk about my career that much because that doesn’t mean anything in pro soccer. You see players who had great college careers and never really cut it in MLS.”
O’Rourke, in his third year, has taken a more circuitous route — one season in San Jose, another in New York, then one offseason trade this past winter to Toronto before another finally returned him to his hometown.
“It’s good to be familiar with everything,” said O’Rourke. “I just love being back with my family and friends, and being able to give back to the community where I grew up playing.”
His tone reflects a maturity that both players have developed since their days with the Hoosiers.
“It’s not really like after practice we go hang out every day,” said Grabavoy. “Obviously we have a friendly relationship at training, but I think it’s more of a friendship where he’s going to try to get the most from me, and I’m going to try to get the most from him.”
They’re complementing styles form the midfield backbone of Crew’s 4-3-3 alignment. O’Rourke is the more physical and defensive-minded of the two, while Grabavoy plays alongside but slightly in front and is the first outlet when Columbus goes forward.
“They’re Midwest boys,” said another former Hoosier, D.C. United goalkeeper Jay Nolly. “Danny’s a character and Ned’s always playing jokes on people. … They’ve already got those years together so they don’t have to worry about building it as professionals. Those guys are characters. They’re great guys and they’re playing well.”
