Ciaran O'Brien
 Giving a post-game interview | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ciaran Patrick O'Brien | ||
| Date of birth | 17 November 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Federal Way, Washington, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | San Antonio Scorpions | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006 | San Diego Toreros | ||
| 2007 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2007 | Tacoma Tide | 15 | (7) |
| 2008–2010 | Colorado Rapids | 1 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Seattle Sounders (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Austin Aztex (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Montreal Impact (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 47 | (6) |
| 2013 | Carolina RailHawks | 7 | (0) |
| 2013– | San Antonio Scorpions | 0 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 4, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Ciaran Patrick O'Brien (born 17 November 1987, in Federal Way, Washington) is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Antonio Scorpions in the North American Soccer League.
Career
Youth and College
O'Brien played center midfield for four years at Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington, where he earned NSCAA All-American honors, was a First Team All-South Puget Sound League selection for four straight years, and was selected as the Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year after his senior season.
O'Brien initially played college soccer for the University of San Diego, where he was a NSCAA Freshman All-American and was named to the All-WCC Second Team, before transferring to UC Santa Barbara in his sophomore year. With the UCSB Gauchos, he made the 2007 NCAA Tournament, losing out to national finalists Ohio State. He was named the 2007 Big West Midfielder of the Year with UCSB, as well as the highest scoring player in the Big West with 25 points on seven goals and 11 assists. During his college years O'Brien also played for Tacoma Tide of the USL Premier Development League, where his father was head coach.
Professional
O'Brien decided to leave UCSB early without graduating, signing a Generation Adidas contract in the process. He was the 5th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Colorado Rapids. He made his MLS debut as a substitute in the 71st minute in Colorado's first match of the 2008 season against Los Angeles Galaxy on March 29, 2008, but was sent off in the 90th minute for a tackle on Carlos Ruiz. The tackle tore meniscus in Ruiz right knee leaving him out for an extended period. It was O'Brien's only MLS game of his career so far.
O'Brien was sent on loan to USL First Division side, Seattle Sounders, in August 2008 to gain first team experience.[1] With the Sounders, O'Brien appeared in 5 league games (309 minutes total) tallying 2 assists. He also appeared in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game. However, O'Brien was soon recalled and was back with Colorado at the end of August.[2]
In June 2009, O'Brien made a season long loan to USL-1 side Austin Aztex. In July 2009, he was signed on a loan from Colorado Rapids by Impact de Montréal until the end if the 2009 USL season.
During summer 2010, O'Brien trialed with League of Ireland Premier Division side Sporting Fingal but a loan deal with Colorado could not be agreed.
O'Brien graduated from the MLS Generation Adidas program on November 18, 2010.[3] O'Brien became a MLS free agent when Colorado declined his 2011 contract option and he was not selected in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
O'Brien signed with North American Soccer League club Atlanta Silverbacks on March 21, 2011.[4] O'Brien won his first league honors on July 11, 2011, winning the NASL Offensive Player of the Week.[5] Atlanta announced on November 8, 2011 that O'Brien would return for the 2012 season.[6]
On 21 February 2013, it was announced that O'Brien had signed with Carolina RailHawks for the 2013 season.[7]
Personal
O'Brien is the son of former Republic of Ireland international player Fran O'Brien, and the brother of fellow professional soccer player Leighton O'Brien.
References
- ↑ Sounders Receive Midfielder Ciaran O'Brien On Loan And Sign Forward Kevin Forrest From http://www.seattlesounders.net, Posted 31 July 2008.
- ↑ Rapids Drop Second Straight Road Match Falling 0-2 to Real Salt Lake From http://www.coloradorapids.com, Posted 29 August 2008.
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/generation-adidas-players-graduate-seasons-end Generation adidas players to graduate at season's end
- ↑ http://www.nasl.com/article/silverbacks-sign-ciaran-o-brien
- ↑ "NASL Offensive Player of the Week: Ciaran O'Brien".
- ↑ http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=1537
- ↑ "Carolina RailHawks sign Jordan Graye, Ciaran O'Brien and Tim Murray for 2013 NASL season". IndyWeek.com. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
External links
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