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Sounders receive midfielder Ciaran O'Brien on loan, sign forward Kevin Forrest

July 31, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, WA) - The Sounders have acquired midfielder Ciaran O'Brien on loan from MLS' Colorado Rapids and signed former University of Washington forward Kevin Forrest, the club announced today.

Both players are available immediately and will travel to Puerto Rico for Friday night's game.

Ciaran O'Brien comes to the Sounders on loan from the Colorado Rapids for a period between July 28 and September 5. O'Brien has made one appearance for the Rapids this year after being their first round draft pick and fifth pick overall in the 2008 MLS Superdraft.

O'Brien was a four year starter at Decatur High School in Tacoma where he was an NSCAA All-American as well as the 2006 Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year. He went on to play at the University of San Diego where he was an NSCAA Freshmen All-American and All-WCC second team performer. He then transferred to UC Santa Barbara for his sophomore year where he led the Big West in points with 25 (7 goals, 11 assists).

A local prodigy from a family with a strong soccer tradition, O'Brien is the brother of current Sounders midfielder, Leighton O'Brien and the son of Fran O'Brien, a former Irish National team player and current Head Coach of the Tacoma Tide PDL club.

"We've watched Ciaran develop since he was 14 years old as he tagged along with Leighton to Sounders training," said Coach Schmetzer. "We're comfortable with his style of play and the players also have some familiarity with him which is a big plus. Most loan players take time to integrate into the side, we don't have that issue and can focus more on overall tactics with Ciaran as he has similar characteristics to his brother Leighton."

Also added to the club is University of Washington product, Kevin Forrest, a forward with a proven goal scoring record. In his Junior season, Forrest scored 16 goals for the Huskies on his way to being named Pac 10 Player of the Year; he was also the conference's leading goal scorer in his senior season before being sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Coach Schmetzer said, "After a tremendous 16 goal junior season, he was a highly regarded forward. The unfortunate injury (stress fracture) that cost him the majority of his senior season and much of the MLS preseason allowed us to be in a position to sign a quality young striker."

The Sounders next home game is August 15 at Starfire against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Tickets are $13 in advance through www.ticketmaster.com and $15 at the gate. The game on August 15 is the first of seven straight home games to end the Sounders final USL regular season.



USL First Division Stories from July 31, 2008


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