October 27, 2009
TRIPLE THREAT
3 ex-Bulls, Metros honored by Crew

Three former players on the Red Bulls or MetroStars were honored by the Columbus Crew in the MLS club's annual team awards.

Defender Danny O'Rourke was named the team's MVP, midfielder Eddie Gaven earned the Crew coaches award and central defender Eric Brunner was selected as the club's newcomer of the year.

O’Rourke's versatility was a major reason why he won MVP honors. Injuries, national team callups, suspensions and a congested schedule over the course of the season created situations where he was asked to play at a variety of positions and he did so in his trademark gritty, hard-nosed style. O'Rourke's speed and toughness make him an asset wherever he is needed in the defensive third, where he started 13 games in central defense, four at outside back and 14 at defensive midfield in all competitions, and switched in the middle of games on other occasions. O'Rourke played with the Red Bulls in 2006.

Gaven was a steady presence on the wing as he led the team in minutes played and contributed important game-winning goals late in the season in MLS and CONCACAF Champions League action. In his fourth season in Columbus, Gaven played three seasons with the MetroStars before he was dealt by the Red Bulls to Columbus for Edson Buddle prior to the 2006 season. Selected by the Crew coaching staff, the coaches award is presented to the player or players they considered to be the most coachable and to possess all of the characteristics of a true team player, including attitude and work ethic.

A native of Dublin, Ohio and Ohio State University product, Brunner signed with his hometown club in March after spending the 2008 season with Miami FC of the United Soccer League First Division after he was left go by the Red Bulls. A second-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Brunner assumed a more prominent role sooner than expected due to injuries and national team call-ups and solidified a starting role in central defense for Columbus.