Connor Maloney

Columbus Crew

2017–2018: Loans to Pittsburgh

Maloney was selected 49th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew. Although he played as a forward in college, he changed positions as a professional to become a defender, capable of playing at either outside back position. After taking part in preseason camp, Maloney officially signed with the club on February 20. He made his professional debut less than a month later, in a match against Houston Dynamo on March 11. With Columbus trailing at halftime, he entered in place of Harrison Afful and played the final 45 minutes of a 3–1 defeat for the Crew. On May 19, Maloney was sent on loan to Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the Crew's United Soccer League affiliate. The loan was on a match-by-match basis, with Maloney able to be recalled by Columbus at any time. He made his debut for the Hounds the next day, starting and playing 61 minutes in a 1–0 defeat to Louisville City. Maloney played just once more while on loan and returned to Columbus after those two appearances. He appeared in one more game after being recalled by the Crew, making his first professional start and tallying an assist against Real Salt Lake in late July. His season ended after undergoing a meniscectomy on his left knee on October 24, just two days before the club's first playoff game. On December 1, Maloney had his contract option picked up by the Crew. After being unable to find the field in Columbus in early 2018, Maloney was again sent…

As of November 24, 2022

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Maloney attended Bishop McDevitt High School, where he played soccer and American football. He was a three-year captain of the varsity soccer team, twice earning all-PIAA honors. As a senior, Maloney was named as an NSCAA High School All-American after scoring 45 goals, including nine hat tricks. He scored 110 goals with the Crusaders, a school and conference record, and set a school record with 68 assists. He was also the Bishop McDevitt placekicker for four years, debatably setting a state record by scoring 328 points. At club level, Maloney played for Pennsylvania Classics in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. While in high school, he spent two summers with the Philadelphia Union Academy, winning the Generation Adidas Cup in 2012. He was ranked as the no. 21 recruit in the country, and the third-best player in Pennsylvania, by TopDrawerSoccer.com and committed to play collegiately for the Penn State Nittany Lions and coach Bob Warming.

Maloney graduated from Penn State with a degree in kinesiology. His older sister, Kelsie, played four years of college soccer at West Virginia; one brother, Austin, also played soccer at Penn State; and another brother, Ryan, played soccer at Bishop McDevitt. All three of the brothers were coached by their father, Terence, while in high school.