Conor Casey
A bruising, target-forward whose physical play and clutch goals propelled the US national team and defined a rugged MLS era.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American soccer coach and former player·Birthday: July 25·Millennials
Biography
Conor Casey's soccer story is one of resilience and brute-force effectiveness. The Denver-born striker took a less-traveled route, developing in Germany's Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Mainz before finding his true calling back home in MLS. With the Colorado Rapids, he became the embodiment of a classic number nine: strong, tenacious, and lethal in the air. His peak moment arrived in 2009, when his physical dominance powered the Rapids to an MLS Cup victory, earning him Finals MVP honors. For the US Men's National Team, Casey was a valuable tactical weapon off the bench, most memorably scoring a critical brace in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Honduras. His post-playing transition to coaching with the Rapids felt like a natural homecoming for a player who left an indelible, physical mark on the American game.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Conor was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Conor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Conor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2010 MLS Cup with the Colorado Rapids and was named the match's Most Valuable Player.
- Scored two crucial goals for the US Men's National Team in a 2-1 comeback win over Honduras to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- Finished his MLS career with 71 regular-season goals, ranking among the league's top American scorers at his retirement.
Did You Know?
He played alongside future superstar Robert Lewandowski during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
He suffered a devastating ACL injury while playing for Mainz in 2006, which required a long and difficult recovery.
His father, also named Conor Casey, was a professional soccer player in the original NASL.
“A forward's job is to put the ball in the net, by any means necessary.”
