Leighton O'Brien
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Leighton O'Brien (born March 14, 1976 in Tacoma, Washington) is an American soccer player.
O'Brien played college soccer at the University of San Diego and was drafted by the New England Revolution in the third round of the 1999 MLS College Draft. He never played for the Revs though, instead spending the year with the then-San Jose Clash, only playing in four matches. San Jose released O'Brien in 2000, and he moved on to the Seattle Sounders of the A-League. In 2003, he led the league in assists and was named league MVP.
In 2004, O'Brien moved over to Sweden to play for Bodens BK. He came back to Major League Soccer a year later, signing with Real Salt Lake, joining another Bodens teammate and ex-MLSer, Brian Dunseth. He lasted less than a year back in MLS.
O'Brien's free kick in the 2005 USL-1 Final started what would become Seattle Sounders tieing goal. His kick was redirected twice before Maykel Galindo scored Seattle's goal in a 1-1 draw with Richmond Kickers. O'Brien then scored one of four penalty kicks for Seattle as they won the 2005 Championship in PK's. Leighton has signed back on with Seattle for the 2006 season.
