Getting traded to an expansion team for the second time in two seasons is what many players would call a nightmare scenario. In recent years, the plight of first-year sides in MLS has been brutal, with Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA all finishing well out of the playoff race.
It makes the prospect of repeating such an experience about as appealing as a "Flavor of Love" marathon. But as Ronnie O'Brien participated in his first San Jose Earthquakes practice on Thursday, there were no outward signs of disappointment over his recent move from Toronto. The Irishman showed good movement during the session at Stanford University, and his trademark right foot even launched a few screamers into the net.
And while he acknowledged the difficult road San Jose faces this season, the prospect of playing for Quakes manager Frank Yallop outweighs any concerns.
"It's a new team again which is always a bit of a struggle," said O'Brien. "There are little problems getting stuff done ... until it all gets settled. But everyone I've spoken to about [Yallop] loves him. He's a players' manager. I spoke to him on the phone and he was telling me about the plan he has for San Jose and how he'd love for me to be a part of it. I'm happy to be here."
O'Brien's enthusiasm at arriving in San Jose was matched by Yallop, whose team has been solid defensively this preseason, but has looked lethargic at times in attack. This development hasn't been surprising given the team's expansion status, as well as the emphasis Yallop has placed on building his team from the back. But in O'Brien, Yallop now has a player whose passing, especially from distance, can open up just about any defense.
"There aren't many good players who become available, and [O'Brien] is a great one for us," said Yallop. "He fills a position for us out wide and he can play in the middle too."
Of course, there was a reason why a player with O'Brien's pedigree was consigned to trade-bait status, with the primary issue being his health. Last year the six-year MLS veteran was limited to just 13 games as he dealt with a variety of right knee ailments. He began the year with a hyperextension in preseason, and later endured a torn MCL as well as persistent swelling after he returned.
O'Brien's season finally ended in September when he underwent arthroscopic surgery, but it wasn't until another operation three months later that a bone spur was found to be the root cause of his discomfort. With that ailment now taken care of, O'Brien believes that he is ready to regain his form of 2005 when he was named to the league's Best XI for the second year running.
"I'm back to feeling like I did before," said O'Brien. "I'm back running around with no problems, and I'm striking the ball the way I want to. It's just a case of maintaining it now so that it doesn't happen again."
Another potential pitfall is O'Brien's role in the team. During his time in Dallas, O'Brien chafed at then-head coach Colin Clarke's insistence that he line up out wide as opposed to the center of midfield. When asked about O'Brien's history, Yallop professed himself to be unconcerned, although he was non-committal about where his most recent acquisition would play.
"O'Brien just adds quality to our team," said Yallop. "We've had a chat about [positions] and we're ready to go."
Andy Jasner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
