He would be home infrequently, only in June and for two weeks around Christmas. He had learned to drive before leaving home, but couldn't get his driver's license in the Netherlands for another two years. In the early years, he stayed with a Dutch family. He played on Ajax's amateur team through 1998, and was loaned to F.C. Utrecht for the 1998-99 season. He played on the first team there in the Dutch top division, and played for Ajax last season.
People talk about wanting to go right to the top division as soon as possible.
But it was good being with players my age, every year learning a lot, having fun. In 1995, the club won the European Champions League tournament, but last season Ajax finished a surprising fifth in the Netherlands. But O'Brien played the most minutes for Ajax in a tournament not long ago that involved three premier European clubs. O'Brien likely will be paying much attention Sunday to Guatemala's Fredy Garcia. Guatemala has never been too keen on emphasizing offense away from home, but the left-footed Garcia is the main midfield threat when it does.