- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,214,537
- Reaction score
- 59
When Darlington Nagbe announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, Sean Zawadzki became one of the top choices to replace him at center midfield and as the Crew's captain.
Though the position Zawadzki will be at during the season opener is still unknown, the Crew officially named the 25-year-old their team captain five days before facing the Portland Timbers on Feb. 21.
The decision was impacted by many different people throughout the club, including the players, who voted for which teammate had the attributes to be a team captain earlier that week.
"They said that my name was one of the most common written down," Zawadzki said. "To hear that, and to have those attributes that everyone looks for, and that the team views me in that way, it means so much to me. Being able to be captain of this historic club is special."
Zawadzki signed his first contract with the Crew in 2022 but had been a part of the organization since 2015.
More: Columbus Crew sign midfielder Sean Zawadzki to multiyear extension
Hailing from Olmstead Falls, Ohio, Zawadzki joined the Crew's academy system by age 15, and spent three years developing his game in Columbus before going to Georgetown for four seasons.
After Zawadzki returned to Columbus, it took less than seven months for him to make his first-team debut under coach Caleb Porter.
In 89 regular-season appearances, Zawadzki has seven goals and two assists. The element of Zawadzki's game that has proven to be even more valuable than his stats is his versatility.
Henrik Rydstrom quickly noted Zawadzki's willingness to move back and forth between central midfield and defensive back. The Crew coach became even more impressed upon learning Zawadzki stepped up to play more than 45 minutes at goalkeeper during a game in 2024.
"That will not be the case this season," Rydstrom joked. "But it’s the perfect match.
"A person that is so self-aware, humble, it makes it very easy for me as a coach if the captain always looks at himself first. ... It sets the standard in the group. He is also an amazing player."
In naming Zawadzki captain, the only matter of concern for Rydstrom was the "leads-by-example" approach Zawadzki takes, as the coaching staff wants him to be more vocal on the field.
After learning from Nagbe for four years, Zawadzki acknowledges the adjustments he'll have to make as a leader but still plans to stay the type of player he was before.
"It’s how can I continue to do what I’ve been doing?" Zawadzki said. "Finding those moments to maybe get on some people, but not change who I am. I think my leadership style is different from another player. And how can I use that to get my point across."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why Sean Zawadzki was named Columbus Crew's captain for 2026
Continue reading...
Though the position Zawadzki will be at during the season opener is still unknown, the Crew officially named the 25-year-old their team captain five days before facing the Portland Timbers on Feb. 21.
The decision was impacted by many different people throughout the club, including the players, who voted for which teammate had the attributes to be a team captain earlier that week.
"They said that my name was one of the most common written down," Zawadzki said. "To hear that, and to have those attributes that everyone looks for, and that the team views me in that way, it means so much to me. Being able to be captain of this historic club is special."
You must be registered for see images attach
Zawadzki signed his first contract with the Crew in 2022 but had been a part of the organization since 2015.
More: Columbus Crew sign midfielder Sean Zawadzki to multiyear extension
Hailing from Olmstead Falls, Ohio, Zawadzki joined the Crew's academy system by age 15, and spent three years developing his game in Columbus before going to Georgetown for four seasons.
After Zawadzki returned to Columbus, it took less than seven months for him to make his first-team debut under coach Caleb Porter.
You must be registered for see images attach
In 89 regular-season appearances, Zawadzki has seven goals and two assists. The element of Zawadzki's game that has proven to be even more valuable than his stats is his versatility.
Henrik Rydstrom quickly noted Zawadzki's willingness to move back and forth between central midfield and defensive back. The Crew coach became even more impressed upon learning Zawadzki stepped up to play more than 45 minutes at goalkeeper during a game in 2024.
"That will not be the case this season," Rydstrom joked. "But it’s the perfect match.
"A person that is so self-aware, humble, it makes it very easy for me as a coach if the captain always looks at himself first. ... It sets the standard in the group. He is also an amazing player."
In naming Zawadzki captain, the only matter of concern for Rydstrom was the "leads-by-example" approach Zawadzki takes, as the coaching staff wants him to be more vocal on the field.
After learning from Nagbe for four years, Zawadzki acknowledges the adjustments he'll have to make as a leader but still plans to stay the type of player he was before.
"It’s how can I continue to do what I’ve been doing?" Zawadzki said. "Finding those moments to maybe get on some people, but not change who I am. I think my leadership style is different from another player. And how can I use that to get my point across."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why Sean Zawadzki was named Columbus Crew's captain for 2026
Continue reading...
