Ronnie O'Brien

[Donegalcelt]

Ronnie for Ireland. Maybe not, but what a goal


http://media.putfile.com/Ronnie-OBrien-GOTW-3

[eirebhoy]

Ronnie for Ireland. Maybe not, but what a goal


http://media.putfile.com/Ronnie-OBrien-GOTW-3
That's got a fair few views, where did you see that posted? :)

[Donegalcelt]

:rolleyes: I'd really need to start reading older posts. Hope you don't have a copyright on that!

[Metrostars]

Rumers Stateside are that Ronnie O could be on his way to NY Red Bulls (formerly Metrostars).

[CollegeTillIDie]

If Ronnie didn't get called up to play for his country when he was with Juventus, no matter how good he is there is no chance he will get called up playing for Dallas Burn/FC or whatever handle they have this season. Amazing goal right enough though!

[Metrostars]

Ronnie scored another nice one last night:

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/sights/
page down to "04/29: O'Brien ties it for FC Dallas"

[Roverstillidie]

I think he's worth a punt, to be fair he has played for Juventus who are a class act. I think he's worth a shout, as the Major Soccer League isnt too bad these days. Playing all over the world in different climates and leagues with different styles of play can give average players an edge in terms of experience.

I'd let the lad have a proper run in some friendlies and see how he does.

he may have played for juve, but he also failed at longford and bray. much as im delighted that he has resurrected his career, bear in mind he failed in the EL TWICE!

[Plastic Paddy]

he may have played for juve, but he also failed at longford and bray. much as im delighted that he has resurrected his career, bear in mind he failed in the EL TWICE!

'Twas back in the day though RTID and a lot of water has passed under the proverbial bridge since. I expect he'd be the best player in the eL by a country mile were he to sign for any of its clubs now. ;)

:ball: PP

[deadman]

he may be an EL and juventus reject ... but that was all years ago. you can't judge him on his form from the past.

his form over the last few years, and this season so far, seems to warrant a look at the least. what happened to Stan's world wide web, he seems to fit the bill perfectly

[irishfan86]

Unless he relocates to Europe, having him in the team for qualifying matches is essentially useless.

Jet-lag and the general tire of travel renders top players fairly average.

Trust me, I live in Canada and follow the national team. Their European based players, who are their top players, really struggle with the travel involved in getting over here for qualifiers, after weeks of top-tier football that is tiring enough as is.

O'Brien, if he was good enough, would only have practical value in big tournaments.

[Metrostars]

Unless he relocates to Europe, having him in the team for qualifying matches is essentially useless.

Jet-lag and the general tire of travel renders top players fairly average.

Trust me, I live in Canada and follow the national team. Their European based players, who are their top players, really struggle with the travel involved in getting over here for qualifiers, after weeks of top-tier football that is tiring enough as is.

O'Brien, if he was good enough, would only have practical value in big tournaments.

But what about Brazil, Argentina, USA whose best players all play in Europe? They all qualified easily enough.

As I've said before, Ronnie should be given a look. But it wont happen because football doesnt exist outside of Europe according to most people in Ireland/Eurosnobs.

[Metrostars]

Granted it is not a great league but still produces some good players. But discounting it completely is a very blind approach. And Ronnie is probably in the top 20 players.

[ken foree]

The MLS is a rubbish league full of wannabe average Yanks and ccrap has beens from Europe. Ronnie falls into the latter category. Am I a snob? Or just a realist?

are they mutually exclusive? :p

[gustavo]

USA got to the quarter finals with a team of mostly MLS players 4 years ago so it cant be all that bad

[irishfan86]

I watch a bit of MLS and while it is not a top league, Metrostars evaluation of it seems to be fairly accurate.

There are great talents to be found there, but its main problem lies in the fact that there isn't a big market for home-grown soccer/football in North America. A lot of North Americans will watch a game between European sides from time to time, but they have little to no interest in football involving primarily American born players.

I'd rate the league as somewhere between mid-championship to mid-league 1 standard.

[hoops1]

Never has a player with so little talent got so much publicity
This fella could teach David Beckham a thing or two

[Roverstillidie]

Never has a player with so little talent got so much publicity
This fella could teach David Beckham a thing or two

if we hadnt voted him time man of the century, would this thread exist?

[stojkovic]

But it wont happen because football doesnt exist outside of Europe......Nail on the head there Metro, you are correct. Eircom players have more chance of a cap. If O'Brien was any good he wouldn't have 'retired' to the MLS.

As you say in the Big Apple - ENOUGH ALREADY.

[Shimokita]

I was in the US a while ago and saw the Metrostars. Not a great game. Then I went to California to see the Earthquakes and it was the most exciting game I've seen in years. Their passing that day was better than half of the teams in the Premiership, and their athleticism was fantastic. They're not aftaid to shoot from outside the box, either.

It'd be interesting to see some MLS teams upagainst eircom League teams.

[stojkovic]

I was in the US a while ago and saw the Metrostars. Not a great game. Then I went to California to see the Earthquakes and it was the most exciting game I've seen in years. Their passing that day was better than half of the teams in the Premiership, and their athleticism was fantastic. They're not aftaid to shoot from outside the box, either.

It'd be interesting to see some MLS teams upagainst eircom League teams.I saw an U10s match yesterday, Kevins v Shels, their passing was excellent and their athleticism was fantastic.

[Roverstillidie]

It'd be interesting to see some MLS teams upagainst eircom League teams.

rovers toured the us about 12 years ago, dished out some serious hidings....

[livehead1]

rovers toured the us about 12 years ago, dished out some serious hidings....
ahh sure theres no point going then so! boot could well be on the other foot this time one may assume...

[DmanDmythDledge]

Read an article about him in the Sunday Times a few years back. It was basically singing his praises but stated that he was never going to be selected for Ireland while Kerr was in charge. I'm not 100% sure but I've a feeling that the article mentioned an incident that happened between him and Kerr while he was manager of the youth teams. Is that correct?

[Roo69]

eL reject ?

[livehead1]

eL reject ?
as far as i know he was at middlesborough for a few years, they released him and he signed for juventus for 2seasons. i dont think he is a reject of the eircom league however.

[Roo69]

as far as i know he was at middlesborough for a few years, they released him and he signed for juventus for 2seasons. i dont think he is a reject of the eircom league however.

Yeah i was thinking that, i know Ronnie from schoolboy football, a year below me at the same club and had a feeling he never played in the eL. I know Bray tried to sign him on loan a few seasons ago in the MLS off-season but he got injured. Was released by boro, went to juve then on loan to a few lower leage italian clubs and a swiss club as well. Played in a champions league qualifer for Juve with del perio up front if im not mistaken.

[drinkfeckarse]

He also went on loan to Dundee United a few years ago and barely got a game from what I can recall which doesn't inspire confidence in him. Footballers thrive on confidence though so if he's been doing well I don't see the harm in having a look at him, he could be a different player by now.

[livehead1]

He also went on loan to Dundee United a few years ago and barely got a game from what I can recall which doesn't inspire confidence in him. Footballers thrive on confidence though so if he's been doing well I don't see the harm in having a look at him, he could be a different player by now.
if mark hughes hadn't came along at blackburn we could also be saying, stephen reid...he was at blackburn a couple of years ago but hardly played a game and was useless. its true players can change.

[Metrostars]

Today, it doesnt really matter what he did at Juve, Boro, Dundee United etc. That's a few years ago. How is he doing now does matter.

I've watched him play in MLS the last few years and he has done really well. I would include him for a friendly to see what he has got.

[Stuttgart88]

Ronnie O'Brien makes the MLS All-Stars squad to play Chelsea at the weekend. Didn't Celtic play a MLS All-Stars selection recently? I don't think O'Brien featured in that.

Metrostars - any comment on the strength of this All-Stars selection? My boss, a US soccer enthusiast, reckons that in general the MLS All-Stars would be better than the US national side.

If O'Brien can get in the best in US selection, then surely he can get in the best 23 of the Irish selection? At least he has to be given a chance. You'd hope that Stan or someone will look at a tape of this game at least. The squad also includes a Richard Mulrooney who I hadn't heard of previously but a quick google search shows he has 14 US caps. A defensive midfielder apparently.

MLS All Stars - Complete Roster:
Goalkeepers: Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Joe Cannon (Colorado Rapids)
Coach: Defenders: Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Josh Gros (D.C. United)
Midfielders: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Freddy Adu (D.C. United), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas), Richard Mulrooney (FC Dallas) Forwards: Jaime Moreno (D.C. United), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Nate Jaqua (Chicago Fire), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Coach: Peter Nowak (D.C. United)

[tetsujin1979]

Ronnie O'Brien makes the MLS All-Stars squad to play Chelsea at the weekend. Didn't Celtic play a MLS All-Stars selection recently? I don't think O'Brien featured in that.

Celtic played in the States as part of pre season training, but not against the All Stars.
Sheffield Wednesday did, but O'Brien was not part of the opposition:
http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/News/0,,10304~869827,00.html?

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks Tets.

I knew I saw an All Stars team without O'Brien in a review of other Irish players' pre-season performances, just couldn't remember who it was.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah I know about Mulrooney due to Pro Evolution football. The commentary is of his name is fantastic. Its like Mul rooooooney. Kinda like John Motson when Wayne Rooney is on the ball.

[Metrostars]

Actually Celtic lost 3-0 to DC United a few weeks ago. And the team Sheffield Wednesday played was a USL All-Star team. USL is a league below MLS.

The MLS season usually takes a break from the Summer weather for about 10 days and an all-star team is selected to play some other famous team. Just a friendly really. But some skrew up with scheduling this year means that players from New England and Chivas USA are unavailable because they are playing each other the same day. That means players such as Clint Dempsey(USA's only positive player during the WC), Shalrie Joseph and a couple more are not playing the All-Star game.
All-Star team this year is mostly US players except DeRosario(Canada), Gomez(Argie), Moreno(Bolivia I think), and O'Brien. Also, Donovan(no harm there) and Mastroeni are out injured. As for Mulrooney, yes he has been capped by the US, so-so player, bit slow, late 20's now, probably wont play for the US again. The I think the game is live on ESPN2 on Saturday so I'll give a report after.

[geysir]

To cut a long story short, does it mean the kid did well to get on the MLS team?

[Metrostars]

To cut a long story short, does it mean the kid did well to get on the MLS team?

Yes. O'Brien has played consistantly well the last few seasons for Dallas.

[Metrostars]

O'Brien came on as a second half sub last night, did ok, almost scored but Terry came up with a good block on his shot. A few nice passes but got disposessed a couple of times by Diarra. Also set up De Rosario for his goal from a throw-in but it was really all-De Rosario for the goal:
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/sights/

[The Legend]

i think he's worth a call-up for a friendly.... not much else happening, so why not!

[dancinpants]

Actually Celtic lost 3-0 to DC United a few weeks ago. And the team Sheffield Wednesday played was a USL All-Star team. USL is a league below MLS.


I thought DC beat them 4-0? :confused:

[Dallasirish]

Ronnie Obrien is the best attackin midfielder Dallas have, he normally plays on the right and has speed and trickery. I would rate him in the top five of all MLS players and think he should be givin a go in a friendly. Considering what Staunton just included in our squad, there no reason he should not be included for a friendly. He has had some bad injuries while in dallas (broke his leg!) but has recovered well and is playing his best footall ever imo.

[geysir]

Whether Ronnie deserves it or not, it doesn't look likely that he will be called up. From accounts, he is at the top of his game and what else can he do. We are not blessed with natural right sided wingers.
Staunton picked a 24 member squad, I think Managers would just select 18 or so for a friendly. IMO because Stan picks the Newcastle O'Brien or Dixon doesn't mean he rates them as ready or better than R.O'Brien. Staunton thinks it makes good sense for these youngsters to spend time with the seniors.

[YankExile]

Figured there was a thread for him somewhere. ;) Toronto FC (new club for him... new club for MLS, too) played a preseason friendly with Houston tonight and lost 2-0. Obviously, O'Brien didn't score. I didn't get to see it myself, but hear he wasn't at top condition. It's part of the Carolina Challenge Cup, which is an annual four-club preseason round robin tournament hosted by the USL Charleston Battery involving 3 MLS sides and the host team. There will be a game vs. Red Bull New York Wednesday, and one vs. Charleston next Saturday.

There'll be webcasts here: http://www.charlestonbattery.com/webcast.asp

[YankExile]

Toronto won 2-1 last night against New York, and O'Brien had assists on both goals. It was a good game to watch; TFC look like they are coming together well for a first year club. The fan support they are getting has been tremendous. 14,000 season tickets have been sold and the club has begun a waiting list for future seasons.

[danonion]

Give him a cap in May, logistics work out well

[tetsujin1979]

Give him a cap in May, logistics work out wellNot a bad idea actually, isn't there a defender in the states who declared for us as well? Might be still too young, but it can't hurt to bring him into the squad to get him used to the setup.

[Paddy Garcia]

& there was an earlier post about a hot young prospect at Notre Dame.

[tetsujin1979]

Joseph Lapira: http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=49333

[YankExile]

Ronnie set up the first goal in Toronto's 3-0 win over Charleston last night but wasn't given credit for the assist. TFC finished 2-1-0 in the Carolina Challenge Cup and lost the trophy to Houston (2-0-1) by one point. Not bad, finishing in 2nd place 1 point behind the defending league champions.

[YankExile]

The fact that he will be starting his season on Saturday may be why he isn't being called up. Better IMHO to call up players who are available with the fall-to-spring seasons ending soon rather than one who will be shuttling back and forth across an ocean.

[YankExile]

This caused quite a bit of teeth-gnashing, not to mention swearing at my computer screen, when I saw this:

TORONTO — Toronto FC has lost one of its most important players midfielder Ronnie O'Brien for 4-6 weeks with a strained and slightly torn knee ligament.

The injury was suffered during a team practice on Tuesday at BMO Field in Toronto.