Portland Timbers sign defender Danny O'Rourke

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed experienced MLS defender Danny O’Rourke. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

O’Rourke, a veteran of nine MLS seasons and 188 career appearances (176 starts) in the league, joins the Timbers after making 22 appearances (19 starts) for the Columbus Crew during the 2013 season, logging 1,723 minutes of action. Drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, O’Rourke, 30, played one season with San Jose (2005) and one with New York (2006) before joining Columbus.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, O’Rourke spent seven seasons with his hometown club (2007-13) appearing in 147 regular-season matches and making six starts for the club during postseason play, helping the Crew win the 2008 MLS Cup as well as the MLS Supporters’ Shield in back-to-back seasons (2008-09).

Earning CONCACAF Champions League experience while helping the Crew reach the quarterfinal round during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 tournament, O’Rourke ranks seventh all-time in career starts (137) for Columbus. The 2004 MAC Hermann Trophy winner as the nation’s top college soccer player also helped lead Columbus to the final of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Danny O’Rourke
Pronunciation: oh-ROARK
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Born: May 31, 1983, in Columbus, Ohio
Last Club: Columbus Crew
College: Indiana University
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed May 27, 2014