Midfielder Leighton O'Brien Joins Impact
August 7, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact announced Friday it had come to terms with American midfielder Leighton O'Brien for the rest of the 2009 season.
O'Brien, a 33-year-old midfielder native of Tacoma, Washington state, played with the Seattle Sounders from 2001 to 2008, in the USL First Division. With Seattle, he tallied more than 100 points in more than 130 games and 11,000 minutes. He also received 41 cautions in USL play. In his last season in 2008, O'Brien registered six goals and two assists for 14 points, in 18 matches and 1,500 minutes of play. In 2009, after taking part in a camp with the Sounders, as a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, he joined the Tacoma Tide, USL Premier Development League club, earning four assists in 12 matches.
"We are very happy to have acquired Leighton O'Brien," said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. "This is a player who has gained a lot of experience in our league and who has won two championships (2005 and 2007). This is the type of player that you want in your team and not as an opponent. Leighton has a very strong will to win. He is an athlete who shows a lot of rigour and determination. He is a player who likes taking responsibility in midfield."
"I'm excited to be joining the Impact, a first-class organization," declared O'Brien. "When I played in Seattle, Montreal was one of my favourite cities on the road. The club has an excellent fan base and good crowds at Saputo Stadium. I'm looking forward to my first match."
O'Brien was drafted by the New England Revolution (MLS) in 1999 upon graduation from San Diego University. In 2002, he was named MVP in the USL First Division, after registering 11 assists. In 2003-2004, he was loaned to Bodens BK, a Swedish second division club, while in 2005 he played a few matches with Real Salt Lake (MLS).
Leighton is Ciaran's brother, who is on loan with the Impact for the 2009 season from the Colorado Rapids (MLS). Both players are the sons of former international Irish player Fran O'Brien, who played two seasons with the Montreal Manic, in 1981 and 1982.
O'Brien should be available for the match on Wednesday against the Portland Timbers, at Saputo Stadium.
The Impact has now 25 players on its roster, the maximum number being 26. The roster freeze in the USL First Division is August 28.
The Montreal Impact will play its next match Sunday against the Minnesota Thunder at Saputo Stadium (3:30 pm, Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
USL First Division Stories from August 7, 2009
- Miami FC Travels to Puerto Rico in Search of Three Points - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks face Cleveland with eyes on top of the league - North Carolina FC
- Midfielder Leighton O'Brien Joins Impact - Montreal Impact
- City Stars Travel To Carolina For Saturday's Match With The RailHawks - Cleveland City Stars
- Whitecaps FC fall to 1-0 defeat - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Midfielder Ryan Pore seals 1-0 win with strike in the first half - Portland Timbers
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