Cole Mrowka

Cole Mrowka
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-04-06) April 6, 2006
Place of birth Chicago, Illinois, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Columbus Crew
Number 29
Youth career
Chicago Fire FC
–2022 Sockers FC
2022–2023 Columbus Crew
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Columbus Crew 2 43 (5)
2024– Columbus Crew 3 (0)
2024 → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) 7 (0)
2025 → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) 9 (1)
International career‡
2026– Philippines 2 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 04:23, 8 July 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:02; 9 June 2026 (UTC)

Cole Mrowka (born April 6, 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. Born in the United States, he plays for the Philippines national team.

Club career

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mrowka started his youth career in the academy of Chicago Fire FC before moving to Sockers FC, and then finally settling with the Columbus Crew Academy, where he signed an amateur contract with the second team on August 14, 2022. He made his debut the same day in a 3–3 draw versus FC Cincinnati 2.[1][2] He would go on to sign a professional contract with the second team a year later on August 18, 2023.[2][3]

On March 5, 2024, he signed a homegrown contract with Columbus Crew,[2] and made his debut for the first team on May 16 during a 3–1 win over CF Montréal.[4] On August 23, 2024, Mrowka was loaned to Colorado Springs Switchbacks.[5] During his time with the Switchbacks, Mrowka recorded his first assist with the club on October 12,[6] and assisted the game-winning goal in the Western Conference semi-final.[7] The club would go on to win the USL Championship Final, giving Mrowka his first league championship.[8]

During the 2025 season, Mrowka made his season debut for Columbus as a second-half substitute in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Los Angeles FC. Having appeared only three times across all competitions for the first team, he was loaned out for a second time to Colorado Springs, with the loan being announced on August 29.[9] In his first game back with the Switchbacks, he scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory at home to FC Tulsa.[10]

International career

Mrowka made his debut for the Philippines national football team in a June 3, 2026 friendly against Guam. He scored the first goal for his side in the game which ended in a 5–1 victory for the Philippines.[11]

Style of play

A two-footed player, Mrowka has been noted for his passing, intelligence, and quick decision-making on the ball.[12]

Personal life

Mrowka is of Filipino descent through his mother and of Polish descent through his father. He cites Kevin De Bruyne and Mesut Özil as his idols.[13]

Career statistics

International

Scores and results list the Philippines' goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.3 June 2026Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Guam1–05–1Friendly

Honors

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

References

  1. ↑ mlsnextpro. "Cole Mrowka". mlsnextpro. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  2. 1 2 3 "Columbus Crew sign Crew 2 and Crew Academy product Cole Mrowka". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  3. ↑ ColumbusCrew.com. "Columbus Crew 2 Sign Midfielder Cole Mrowka | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  4. ↑ Mac Kay, Brianna (May 15, 2024). "Columbus Crew record 3–1 road victory over CF Montreal, first MLS win since March: Replay". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  5. ↑ ColumbusCrew.com. "Columbus Crew loan Midfielder Cole Mrowka to USL Championship's Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  6. ↑ Purslow, Ashley (October 12, 2024). "Switchbacks Suffer Defeat Against San Antonio". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  7. ↑ Murray, Nicholas (2024-11-10). "Zach Zandi lifts Switchbacks to extra time victory against Orange County". USL Championship. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  8. ↑ "Rhode Island FC Falls 3-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in USL Championship Final". Rhode Island FC. 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  9. ↑ Purslow, Ashley (August 29, 2025). "Switchbacks FC Welcome Back Midfielder Cole Mrowka for 2025 Season". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  10. ↑ Wirtz, Stefanie (August 30, 2025). "FC Tulsa Falls in Colorado, Eyes Strong Response at Home". FC Tulsa. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  11. ↑ Moriones, Gil (3 June 2026). "Mrowka, Rublico, Leipold score debut goals as PMNFT routs Guam". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  12. ↑ Chwałek, Jerzy. "Piłkarski talent z USA. Może wybierać spośród trzech reprezentacji, jest zainteresowany Polską" (in Polish). se.pl.
  13. ↑ Chlebicki, Przemysław. "Cole Mrowka – talent z USA, który chce grać dla Polski. Chciały go pozyskać kluby Premier League i Serie A" (in Polish). tvp.pl.