Columbus Captain Sean Zawadzki Focused on Delivering Another Trophy to the Crew
Ahead of the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals, the 26-year-old Homegrown captain has his sights set on winning a fourth trophy with the Columbus Crew organization
Columbus Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki is a born-and-bred Ohioan. A 26-year-old Homegrown talent out of Olmsted Falls on the outskirts of Cleveland, Zawadzki is one of the youngest captains in Major League Soccer and has won just about every trophy there is to win over his decade with the Crew organization.
A member of the Columbus Crew Academy between 2015-18, Zawadzki’s lone journey beyond Ohio’s borders was a highly successful, four-season stint at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he kicked off his trophy-laden career with four BIG EAST regular-season titles, three BIG EAST Tournament crowns and a 2019 NCAA College Cup championship—a victory on penalties against then-Virginia Cavalier and current Orlando City SC forward Daryl Dike.
Since returning to Columbus as a Homegrown signing in January 2022, Zawadzki has only added to his impressive young career. In a remarkable three-year run, the midfielder won the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup with Columbus Crew 2 in 2022, helped the first team to its third MLS Cup title in 2023 and a first Leagues Cup title in 2024, and also saw his side post a club-record finish as runners-up at the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Now, the Crew are two wins away from a second U.S. Open Cup title—a potential fourth trophy for Zawadzki as a member of the club.
“It would mean a lot,” Zawadzki said of a potential Open Cup title. “Obviously, it's a tournament that's been around for a long time in the U.S., and the historical side is an element. The Crew won it a while ago, so it's been a while. How can we get that trophy and bring that U.S. Open Cup trophy back to the club and celebrate that?
“So, I think it would mean a lot for the club, but then also for me, I always want to be at the top. I always want to win trophies. I want to be a part of teams that are successful and win these trophies. So how can I give everything I can to help the team and get that message across to the guys that this trophy means a lot to everyone. It's a historical tournament, and it's a tournament that this club really values.”
Following the retirement of Darlington Nagbe a season ago, Zawadzki earned the captaincy at just 25 years old. Despite his relative youth, the midfielder has earned the trust and respect of a team which features the sixth-oldest average age in MLS and 17 players older than him.
“Being one of the longest-tenured players here with the Crew, and growing up playing for the academy and everything, I've seen the evolution of this club and been a part of it in different stages of my life,” Zawadzki said. “I put a big responsibility on myself to instill that within the guys we get.
“Obviously, we made a bunch of moves this summer, so how can I—along with guys who've also been here for a longer period of time—work to get these guys up to speed in terms of what the Crew stands for, how we want to play, how we are as people on and off the field, and do that in the best way, and also try and make it a seamless transition for them?”
Columbus has been very active in the transfer market, adding Eric Bailly, Brais Méndez, Gonzalo Tapia, Josef Martínez and Brooks Lennon, hoping to offset the departures of Diego Rossi, Max Arfsten and the outgoing loan of top Open Cup goalscorer Hugo Picard. Despite that roster volatility, Zawadzki and the Crew are confident in their ability to capitalize on the moment.
“I would say it's business as usual,” Zawadzki said of his side’s Open Cup plans. “Now we're two wins away from a trophy, and I think that's the goal of every club—ours especially—to bring trophies here.
“Being at home for a Semifinal and in front of our fans, you keep your routine as normal as possible. You wake up, you get to have the comfort of your own home, own bed, all of that stuff. How can you use that to our advantage?”
Zawadzki celebrates with Crew supporters | Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
For the kid from northern Ohio, it’s all about giving his all for the club that took a chance on him just over a decade ago.
“It means a lot,” Zawadzki said of representing the Crew. “The club took a swing on me when I was 13 years old. I was an eighth-grade kid, grew up in the Academy and then went off to college. Then, I was lucky enough to sign a Homegrown [contract] with this great club, come back and be a part of some successful teams.
“It means everything that they've taken that chance on me, and so I want to repay them and give everything I can to them and show that what they've done in the past was the right decision. How can I continue to repay them for everything they did? It starts with a chance at another trophy here.”
Zawadzki and the Crew will host Orlando City SC on Wednesday evening (7 p.m. ET / Paramount+, CBS Sports Network) in the first of two U.S. Open Cup Semifinals as both sides look to take another step toward a second Open Cup title. The winner of Wednesday’s contest will host the 2026 U.S. Open Cup Final on Oct. 21 against either the Colorado Rapids or St. Louis CITY SC.