Wednesday, March 22, 2006

The patience of JO'B

Earlier this week, Yanks Abroad posted a report that perpetually injured American midfielder John O'Brien is fully fit and about to make the move to MLS. It also speculates about his World Cup aspirations:

The Los Angeles native is also physically ready to be named to Bruce Arena's World Cup 2006 squad on May 15th.

"He's completely fit," agent Rob Jansen told YA. "Of course (he can be called), there are no problems with that."

O'Brien coming to MLS is a good career move I think, and a major bonus for the team who lands him. But the man's played, what maybe ten competitive matches in the last two years? Arena wants to bring him, but there's no way he's going to waste a roster spot on a player who isn't proven match fit.

I'd say that O'Brien's roster chances at the moment are extremely doubtful, unless he signs in the next week or so and then plays some full MLS games. Time is very definitely not on his side.

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