Can we naturalize this guy? I know that this has been discussed somewhere could someone please provided a link. -Thanks
When you ask him if he wants to be naturalized, can you at least make sure to spell his name right? This topic has been discussed...at unreasonable lengths....and the answer is NO. He is tied to Ireland and there will be no change.
He actually has played for Ireland against the United States. But then many of the posters around would've still been in diapers back then.
Wow, where else but big soccer can you get such wonderful News and Analysis. I know I now have a greater appreciation for O'brien and the game in general.
'99 US CUP -Offside Razov gives us a draw after Brad Friedel had previously allowed the worst goal of his career. The following Sunday we went on to beat the Tri-Pumas 3-0 with goals from McBride, Heyduk, and Razov during a replay of the Heyduk goal. (Not diapers...but I was in 11th grade)
Actually, you're thinking of Brad Friedel. If you don't know who your daddy is, there's a good chance it's Big Bad Brad.
Last time I checked the only good player on your team was from MS. (And my father prefers the term vertically challenged)
O'Brien has only played for Ireland at Youth level, not "senior internationals" as someone might call them.
And if you check out the link that Mike Segroves provided earlier in this thread you will see that it was a FIFA regulated youth event...and since at the time he had no claim to US citizenship that makes him tied to Ireland for the end of time eternal.
So, the "Ronnie O'Brien" who played for Ireland on April 17, 2002 at Lansdowne Road isn't the same Ronnie O'Brien now playing for FC Dallas?
Well jeez, I know that already, I was replying to say he has never started a game for the Irish Seniors. And I don't think he ever played against the USA at youth level either.
No, but Andy O'Brien played for Ireland that night. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/news/2002/04/17/us_ireland_ap/
Well, damn. My bad. In my defense, I will say that two transatlantic flights, 6 pints of Guiness, and only about 6 hours of sleep in a 40 hour period of time does take its toll. What about John O'Brien, is he still eligible for the U.S.?
Folks didn't seem unduly unkind - you got the answer and link you asked for, were not called names by anyone, and even if some impatience seeped in, responding by calling the four or five poeple who responded to that point what you did is more than a little bit off base.