John O'Brien

John O’Brien was a soccer (football) midfielder who played for the USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was with the USA Men’s National Team from 1998-2006, earning 32 international caps, and helping them win the 2004 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

O’Brien signed a youth contract with Ajax in the Netherlands in 1994 and received a professional contract from them in 1998. He played most of his career in the Netherlands, first with Ajax, then with FC Utrecht, and ADO Den Haag. In 2006 he played one game with Chivas USA.

O’Brien was an alternate to the USA team for the 1998 World Cup but played at both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, where he sustained an injury at the latter tournament that effectively ended his career. He formally retired after the 2008 season.

O’Brien later returned to college and obtained a doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, and then worked as a sports psychologist and mental health counselor.