Courtesy of MLSnet.com (Jose Argueta/MLS)

BALTIMORE, MD. (Friday, January 18, 2008) -  

 Former Tacoma Tide midfielder was drafted with the 5th pick of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. O’Brien, a Generation adidas player from the University of California-Santa Barbara, was a NSCAA All-American Third Team member in 2007 after registering seven goals and 11 assists in 21 games. The most widely recruited transfer player in the nation in 2006, he came to UCSB after a very successful freshman campaign at the University of San Diego. As a member of FC United from 2002-07 he amassed 70 goals and 59 assists during his six years with the club, leading them to a regional championship and a national title match in 2004.    

“I am very excited about joining the Rapids and look forward to joining my new teammates in Colorado ,” said O’Brien, who totaled 13 goals and 15 assists in only 40 collegiate games. “I felt it was right time for me to enter the draft and Generation adidas offers me an excellent opportunity to not only continue to education, but develop as a player professionally.” - quote and photo from coloradorapids.com

Tide midfielder shaking MLS Commissioner, Don Garber’s hand after being selected.