Selected 5th in MLS Draft

We are very proud to report that the Colorado Rapids have selected WPFC alumnus Ciaran O’Brien as the fifth overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft.

CiaranO’Brien, a Generation adidas player from the University of California-Santa Barbara, was a NSCAA All-American Third Team member in 2007 after registering seven goals and 11 assists in 21 games. The most widely recruited transfer player in the nation in 2006, he came to UCSB after a very successful freshman campaign at the University of San Diego. As a member of FC United from 2002-07 he amassed 70 goals and 59 assists during his six years with the club, leading them to a regional championship and a national title match in 2004.
 

Ciaran told the press, "I am very excited about joining the Rapids and look forward to joining my new teammates in Colorado ,” said O’Brien, who totaled 13 goals and 15 assists in only 40 collegiate games. “I felt it was right time for me to enter the draft and Generation adidas offers me an excellent opportunity to not only continue to education, but develop as a player professionally.”

Ciaran is the son of of former NASL professional, Fran Obrien, who coached Ciaran during his five years at F.C. United, now WPFC. Ciaran joins a growing list of WPFC alumni players who have made the jump from youth and college soccer to the professional Ranks. Former WPFC players include Tim Merritt of D.C. United, Joe Gjertsen of the Montreal Impact, Tally Hall of LA Galaxy and Nick Besagno of Real Salt Lake.

Ciaran O’Brien

Position: Midfielder
D.O.B.: Nov. 17, 1987
Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
College: University of California- Santa Barbara
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids in the first round (5th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft