Michele O'Brien

Michele O'Brien (born 28 June 1980) is a soccer striker who plays for the W-League club Chicago Red Eleven. Since making her debut for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team in 2003, she has gained over 50 caps.

Michele O'Brien
Personal information
Date of birth (1980-06-28) 28 June 1980
Place of birth Plainview, New York, United States
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Chicago Red Eleven
Number 10
Youth career
Northport/Cow Harbor Soccer Club
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 FIU Golden Panthers 74 (58)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2007 Long Island Lady Riders
2003 Arsenal (1)
2007 QBIK
2008 Watford
2008 Jersey Sky Blue[1] 11 (3)
2009– Chicago Red Eleven 14 (5)
National team
2003– Republic of Ireland 65 (13)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

College career

O'Brien played varsity soccer during four seasons at Florida International University. She remains the program's all–time record goalscorer.[2]

Club career

In 2000 O'Brien started playing for the Long Island Lady Riders.[3] She remained with them until 2007, with a spell at Arsenal in 2003.[4] During her time at the English club, O'Brien played in the Women's Premier League[5] and the semi–final of the UEFA Women's Cup.[6]

In 2007 O'Brien joined the Damallsvenskan club QBIK.[4] She then spent time back in England with Watford Ladies, before joining Jersey Sky Blue for the 2008 W-League season.[4] The following season O'Brien moved to Chicago Red Eleven and scored four goals in 11 games in 2009.[7] In 2010, she scored one goal in three games for the Red Eleven.[8]

International career

O'Brien debuted for the Republic of Ireland in 2003 and went on to accumulate more than 50 caps.[4] In 2005 O'Brien was named the FAI Player of the Year.[9]

Coaching career

O'Brien coached soccer at New York University (2004–2005) and Columbia University (2005–2007).[2] She was named assistant soccer coach at DePaul University in February 2009.[2]

Personal life

Born with a congenital heart defect, in 1995 O'Brien suffered a heart attack after a High School P.E. lesson and required open heart surgery. She refused to quit soccer, reportedly telling her concerned parent: "Mom, I might as well die doing something I like".[10]

References
  1. "Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues". USLsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  2. "NEW COACH". Chicagoland Soccer News. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  3. "#5 - Michele O'Brien". USLsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  4. "#10 - Michele O'Brien". USLsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  5. David Shannon (20 August 2003). "England (Women) 2002/03". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  6. "Michelle O'Brien". UEFA. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  7. "2009 Statistics". USLsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  8. "Chicago Red Eleven". USLsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  9. "Senior Women Player Profiles". Football Association of Ireland. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  10. Rubin, Roger (19 October 1997). "Frightening Odds Can't Stop . . . Heart Of Courage". Daily News (New York). Retrieved 25 September 2012.


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