How it all came to be...
As a young boy, Leighton O'Brien remembers the many hours his father, Fran, put into his professional soccer career. Fran spent several years in the North American Soccer League (NASL) playing for teams in Philadelphia, Montreal and Vancouver. When the NASL folded in 1984, Fran continued his career in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) playing for Dallas and Tacoma. After finishing his career with Tacoma, Fran settled with his family in Seattle, Wash.
Through watching his dad's professional career blossom, Leighton gained a desire to follow in his father's footsteps. Growing up, he competed at all levels of soccer, eventually earning a four year scholarship to the University of San Diego in 1996. While a Torero, he spent countless hours working on perfecting his game and improving his abilities.
It was during the 1999 MLS College Draft that Leighton's hard work and passion came to fruition. Selected the 25th pick in the third round by the New England Revolution, his career encountered a setback after being placed on waivers in April of 1999. The San Jose Clash picked up Leighton in the Waiver Draft that month and he played in four games.
After the stint with San Jose Clash, Leighton joined the San Diego Flash of the A-League for the 2000 season and played in 21 games. He spent the 2001-2003 seasons with the Seattle Sounders of the A-League. During the 2001 season, Leighton played in 21 games, tallying 13 goals and 11 assists, and earning him 2001 Sounders MVP honors in his first season with the team. In 2002, he played in 27 games, totaling 13 goals and 11 assists, and was awarded the A-League's highest accolade being named the 2002 MVP and co-assists leader. In the Sounders offseason, Leighton spent time in the MISL, where he played one year with the Sacramento Knights and two years with Milwaukee Wave.
Leighton's success with Seattle opened the door for him to go abroad to showcase his talents. After just three games with the Sounders during the 2003 season, he was loaned to Swedish second-division team Bodens BK and was named the MVP of the Supperettan league at the end of the 2003 season. He continued playing for Bodens in 2004, but sustained a groin injury that kept him out of the lineup for the season.
The Tacoma native has spent the last 2 months with Real Salt Lake in preseason training and has impressed the coaching staff with his keen soccer ability, both defensively and offensively. He is poised to be a regular fixture with the team as it begins its inaugural season in MLS.
Coach Ellinger's Call...
"Leighton is an experienced professional and I have worked with him in the past with the U.S. national B team. His best position is centrally in midfield. His experience is something you notice right away and tactically he holds the ball very well. Defensively and offensively he is always in right position. There is no doubt he is in the top three in finishing on our team. Getting Leighton O'Brien is something that we weren't quite sure was going to happen. He'll definitely play a big role on the team this year, either starting or coming off the bench."
Field Vision: Defender Brian Dunseth says...
"Leighton's a quality player who can link up both offensively and defensively on the team. He has received honors and recognition throughout his professional career and on the teams he's been a part of. Throughout the team he has earned the admiration and respect of being a quality player and individual. If there's any question about how he'll do in the MLS with Real Salt Lake, you can look to his past professional career as a good indication."
Things you need to know...
Hobbies: Going to movies
Major in college: Accounting
Favorite music: U2
Favorite movie: Star Wars
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite book: "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld
Marital status/Wife's name: LaManda
Kids' names/ages: Bella, 2
Favorite athlete outside of soccer: Andre Agassi
Greatest accomplishments: Being a dad
Charities/causes: Special Olympics
