Earlier this season, something just wasn't right with FC Dallas all-star midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. Not only were his goal and assist numbers down, but he didn't seem to be sending as many balls into the opposing penalty area and creating problems for defenders like he is known to do.
Those skills are what has made him a three-time MLS All-Star, a member of the league's Best XI team each of the last two seasons and established O'Brien as one of the top right-sided midfielders in the league. So, when the sixth-year Irishman wasn't playing up to that level, it became apparent.
For two months, O'Brien was plagued by a nagging hamstring injury before coming out in the 76th minute of a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in Frisco on July 8.
He missed the next three league tilts before returning as a second-half substitute in the Hoops' U.S. Open Cup fourth round match with the USL's Charleston Battery on Aug. 2. O'Brien returned to MLS action 10 days later against Houston and has been in top form ever since.
On Aug. 30 at Colorado, he assisted on both FCD goals in a 2-0 win against the Rapids. He also assisted on their lone score in a 1-1 tie Sept. 9 at Chivas USA and added another helper in a 3-2 loss at Real Salt Lake on Saturday. O'Brien attributes his resurgence to finally being healthy.
"It's probably the best I felt all season," he said. "I had been struggling with it (my hamstring) for a while. Before I dropped out, I had strapped it up for two months and said I can't do it any more and have to get it sorted out. It's still a little there, but it feels better than it did all season."
FCD assistant coach Steve Morrow's take was similar.
"I think Ronnie went through a difficult period in the middle part of the season where his hamstring wasn't quite right and he played through it," Morrow said. "Then we decided it needed a little bit of rest. I think there was a period of probably two months where he wasn't as fit as he wanted to be. Now he's got that back and has gotten stronger in the last few games."
The Hoops assistant said that he has also noticed O'Brien's game improving in recent weeks, a positive sign heading into the stretch run of the season.
"His attitude, his work rate and quality on the ball has been of a different class in the last few games," Morrow said. "That's what we need of him at this time in the season. In the last few years, he has been stronger earlier in the season. Hopefully, this year he will reverse things a bit and be stronger toward the end of the season and heading into the playoffs."
For O'Brien, one thing about him being healthy is that it allows him to come inside more, which affords him greater opportunities to create chances and to wreak more havoc on opposing defenders.
"Things are starting to fall for me a little bit more," O'Brien said. "I'm coming inside to get more space. I think for most of this season, I've been sitting out wide and trying to create space for the team. But I haven't been in as many games as I was last year in that way. Now I'm trying to come inside and keep myself in the game. I think I'm getting more on the ball and am able to do a little more for it."
Playing inside is also positive because its harder for the opposition to take O'Brien out of the game.
"It means I'm just not out of the game for as long," he said. "When I'm playing out wide, I have to rely on someone to get me the ball all the time. If they don't, then I'm out of the game. At least when I come inside, I find second balls a lot more and find little holes to play in. You're harder to mark when you're in there."
Having O'Brien and fellow winger Ramon Nunez come inside is something the FCD coaches encourage them to do.
"It's something that I encourage all of our midfield players to do," Morrow said. "I like freedom of movement in midfield and for the wide guys not to just stay wide and be predictable. It's something that we've encouraged him (O'Brien) to do is to come inside, find those gaps in between the other team's back four and midfield."
For Morrow, having O'Brien play both out wide and inside makes him an even more formidable player.
"He's a clever player and does it (moves inside) well," Morrow said. "I think it's something he can add to his game. He's a great crosser of the ball. He is dangerous when he comes inside and finds the gaps around the ball because he has a great shot as well."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
