FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Fran O’Brien Hired As Head Coach of Tacoma Tide  

Tacoma, WA, March 12, 2007 –Fran O’Brien has accepted the head coach position of the Tacoma Tide for the 2007 Season. O’Brien has been a coaching fixture in the Puget Sound area over the past eight years, coaching in the Sparta Soccer Club and FC United (now called Washington Premier FC), both in Tacoma, WA . O’Brien coached his 2004 FC United side in the Snicker’s Cup National Championship Final.  

“I’m really looking forward to coaching these lads,” O’Brien said. “I worked with some of them before they left for college and I’m interested to see how they have developed over the past year. There will be some new faces within the team and I’m anxious to get them together and playing some good, quality soccer.”  

As a player, O’Brien began his career in the Republic of Ireland playing three years in the Irish Professional League. He then moved to the NASL and divided up seven years between the Philadelphia Fury, the Montreal Manic, and the Vancouver White Caps. He finished out his career in the MISL with the Dallas Sidekicks and the Tacoma Stars.  

O’Brien will take over the head coaching duties from Mike Jennings, co-owner and the team’s general manager. ‘I am elated to have Fran involved with the side this year.’ says Jennings . ’He is a quality guy who brings with him a load of experience and passion to the game.’  

The tryouts for the Tacoma Tide will be postponed until April 14, 15 as the FAI has invited O’Brien, along with another local Irishman, Joe Waters for a reunion in late March. They will view Ireland and Wales compete for the first time in a European Championship match in Dublin on March 24th.  

O’Brien’s son, Leighton, plays for the Seattle Sounders and was the A-League MVP in 2002 as the Sounders won the 2002 Regular Season Title.