Leighton O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Leighton O'Brien is an American
soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women
.
O'Brien is noted most significantly for his tenure with the Seattle Sounders
of the USL First Division
. Where the Tacoma native helped the Sounders claim the double
, and as well as several other titles. Most of his personal achievements derived from his time with Seattle. On February, 2010 he was ranked 11th in the USL First Division
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
in 1994. He played college soccer
at the University of San Diego
, redshirting his freshman season after an early season injury sidelined him.
in the third round of the 1999 MLS College Draft
. He never played for the Revs before being waived on March 31, 1999. On April 5, 1999 the San Jose Clash claimed O'Brien in the waiver draft. He spent most of the season on loan with MLS Pro-40 and only four games with the Clash first team before being released at the end of the season. In 2000, he signed with the San Diego Flash
of the USL A-League. At some point, he also played for the Sacramento Knights
of the World Indoor Soccer League
.
On April 30, 2001, Leighton signed with the Seattle Sounders
, where he had a successful season by posting 11 goals and seven assists, All-League honors. Following the completion of the USL season, he signed with the Sacramento Knights
of the World Indoor Soccer League
for the remainder of their season. In 2002, the Sounders loaned him to the Clash. In 2002, he had another successful campaign with the Sounders where his 13 goals and 11 assists helped the Sounders claim the regular season championship. His efforts also earned him All-League recognition, Assist Leader honor, and was named the USL A-League MVP. He then signed on loan from the Sounders with the Milwaukee Wave
of Major Indoor Soccer League
for the 2002-2003 season. He played two winter indoor seasons, 2002–2003 and 2003-2004 with the Wave. The Sounders signed O'Brien to a three year contract before the 2003 season, but he played only three games in Seattle before moving on loan to Bodens BK
in the Swedish Second Division. He played 23 games, scoring six goals and adding nine assists. In 2004, he returned to Boden for the 2004 season, but lost most of the season with a groin injury. On November 14, 2005, the Wave traded O'Briens rights to the California Cougars
in exhange for Pat White
, but did not play for the Cougers.
On March 29, 2005, he signed with the expansion Real Salt Lake
of Major League Soccer
. At the time, he was still under contract with the Sounders. The Sounders released him to Salt Lake in exchange for the team to play an exhibition against Seattle. Salt Lake loaned O'Brien back to Seattle several times during the season before releasing him on August 19, 2005. O'Brien immediately signed with the Sounders. His free kick in the 2005 USL-1 Final started what would become Seattle Sounders
tying goal. His kick was redirected twice before Maykel Galindo
scored Seattle's goal in a 1-1 draw with Richmond Kickers
. O'Brien then scored one of four penalty kicks for Seattle as they won the 2005 Championship in penalty kicks. Leighton signed back on with Seattle for the 2006 season, and in 2007, he helped the Sounders claim the double
. He remained with the club for its final season as the team folded at the end of 2008 due to Seattle Sounders FC
joining Major League Soccer
.
Having been unable to secure a professional contract, O'Brien signed with Tacoma Tide of the USL Premier Development League
for the 2009 season.
On August 7, 2009 O'Brien signed a contract for the remainder of the season with the Montreal Impact
, joining his brother Ciaran O'Brien
who was on loan with the same team. On September 29, O'Brien was released by Impact.
Most recently, O'Brien signed on to be the head coach for the Seattle Sounders Women Soccer team for the 2010 season.
international player Fran O'Brien
, and the brother of fellow professional soccer player Ciaran O'Brien
.
Leighton currently coaches the GRFC 96' girls blue team
2007
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women
Seattle Sounders Women
The Seattle Sounders Women is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2003. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States, and as a club in the Western Division, they play against Colorado Force, Colorado Rush, LA Strikers, ...
.
O'Brien is noted most significantly for his tenure with the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. Where the Tacoma native helped the Sounders claim the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
, and as well as several other titles. Most of his personal achievements derived from his time with Seattle. On February, 2010 he was ranked 11th in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
Youth and College
He grew up in the Pacific Northwest, graduating from Federal Way High SchoolFederal Way High School
Federal Way High School is located in Federal Way, Washington. It was originally built in 1938.-Academics:* Advanced Placement courses: Calculus, Statistics, U.S...
in 1994. He played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
, redshirting his freshman season after an early season injury sidelined him.
Professional
O'Brien was drafted by the New England RevolutionNew England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
in the third round of the 1999 MLS College Draft
1999 MLS College Draft
The 1999 Major League Soccer College Draft.Major League Soccer held its fourth annual college draft on February 6 and 7, 1999 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first round of the draft took place on Saturday with the second and third rounds on Sunday morning. The College Draft was followed by the...
. He never played for the Revs before being waived on March 31, 1999. On April 5, 1999 the San Jose Clash claimed O'Brien in the waiver draft. He spent most of the season on loan with MLS Pro-40 and only four games with the Clash first team before being released at the end of the season. In 2000, he signed with the San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
of the USL A-League. At some point, he also played for the Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded...
of the World Indoor Soccer League
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
.
On April 30, 2001, Leighton signed with the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
, where he had a successful season by posting 11 goals and seven assists, All-League honors. Following the completion of the USL season, he signed with the Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded...
of the World Indoor Soccer League
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
for the remainder of their season. In 2002, the Sounders loaned him to the Clash. In 2002, he had another successful campaign with the Sounders where his 13 goals and 11 assists helped the Sounders claim the regular season championship. His efforts also earned him All-League recognition, Assist Leader honor, and was named the USL A-League MVP. He then signed on loan from the Sounders with the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
for the 2002-2003 season. He played two winter indoor seasons, 2002–2003 and 2003-2004 with the Wave. The Sounders signed O'Brien to a three year contract before the 2003 season, but he played only three games in Seattle before moving on loan to Bodens BK
Bodens BK
Bodens BK is a Swedish football club located in Boden in Norrbotten. The club, formed 1916, is currently playing in the third highest Swedish league, Division 1...
in the Swedish Second Division. He played 23 games, scoring six goals and adding nine assists. In 2004, he returned to Boden for the 2004 season, but lost most of the season with a groin injury. On November 14, 2005, the Wave traded O'Briens rights to the California Cougars
California Cougars
The California Cougars are an indoor soccer team, founded in 2004. The team is a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League , the first division of arena soccer in North America....
in exhange for Pat White
Pat White
Pat, Patrick or Patricia White may refer to:*Patricia White, British Tenpin Bowling Association chairman*Patrick White , Nobel prize winning Australian author*Pat White , American professional baseball and football player...
, but did not play for the Cougers.
On March 29, 2005, he signed with the expansion Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. At the time, he was still under contract with the Sounders. The Sounders released him to Salt Lake in exchange for the team to play an exhibition against Seattle. Salt Lake loaned O'Brien back to Seattle several times during the season before releasing him on August 19, 2005. O'Brien immediately signed with the Sounders. His free kick in the 2005 USL-1 Final started what would become Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
tying goal. His kick was redirected twice before Maykel Galindo
Maykel Galindo
Maykel Galindo is a Cuban footballer currently playing for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-Cuba:A rising star in the youth ranks of the Cuban national team, he made his debut in a January 2002 friendly match against Guatemala...
scored Seattle's goal in a 1-1 draw with Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. O'Brien then scored one of four penalty kicks for Seattle as they won the 2005 Championship in penalty kicks. Leighton signed back on with Seattle for the 2006 season, and in 2007, he helped the Sounders claim the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
. He remained with the club for its final season as the team folded at the end of 2008 due to Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
joining Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Having been unable to secure a professional contract, O'Brien signed with Tacoma Tide of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for the 2009 season.
On August 7, 2009 O'Brien signed a contract for the remainder of the season with the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
, joining his brother Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran Patrick O'Brien is an American soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
who was on loan with the same team. On September 29, O'Brien was released by Impact.
Most recently, O'Brien signed on to be the head coach for the Seattle Sounders Women Soccer team for the 2010 season.
Personal
O’Brien is the son of former Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
international player Fran O'Brien
Fran O'Brien (footballer)
Fran O'Brien was an Irish soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first player to be capped for the Republic of Ireland playing in U.S., earning a total of four caps.-Player:...
, and the brother of fellow professional soccer player Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran Patrick O'Brien is an American soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
.
Leighton currently coaches the GRFC 96' girls blue team
Seattle Sounders
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (2): 2005,
2007
United Soccer Leagues 2007
The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the...
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Commissioner's Cup (1): 2007United Soccer Leagues 2007The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the... - Pacific Division Champions (1): 20022002 A-League-Northeast Division:-Southeast Division:-Central Division:* Cincinnati lost three point for using an ineligible player-Pacific Division:-Playoff bracket:-Playoff first round:* Montreal defeated Charlotte 0-1, 1-0...
- Cascadia CupCascadia CupThe Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
(2): 2006, 2007
Individual
- A-LeagueA-League (1995–2004)The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
- MVP (1): 20022002 A-League-Northeast Division:-Southeast Division:-Central Division:* Cincinnati lost three point for using an ineligible player-Pacific Division:-Playoff bracket:-Playoff first round:* Montreal defeated Charlotte 0-1, 1-0...
- Assist Leader (1): 20022002 A-League-Northeast Division:-Southeast Division:-Central Division:* Cincinnati lost three point for using an ineligible player-Pacific Division:-Playoff bracket:-Playoff first round:* Montreal defeated Charlotte 0-1, 1-0...
- MVP (1): 2002