VANCOUVER, B.C - The Whitecaps are off to a 2-2-2 start to the 2014 MLS season. Carl Robinson's players have bought into what he's selling after a difficult offseason that saw a lot of change on and off the pitch. One key contributor on the back-end that has helped the Whitecaps and their first year head coach is stalwart central defender Andy O'Brien.
Vancouver's most dependable and sound figure inside the back-four has been the 6'3, O'Brien. In his third season with the Caps, O'Brien has shown that he is a consistent and reliable player when it comes to keeping the ball out of the Whitecaps net. O'Brien's not going to wow you with free kicks or blistering rushes up the flanks, but he more than makes up for that in his own half with central-defensive partner, Jay DeMerit.
The Harrogate, England native, is in fantastic shape after missing a large part of the 2013 season with a nagging hamstring injury. During the offseason the Whitecaps put Andy on a strict workout program to make sure he came into this season in best form of his life. O'Brien believes he lost 10 pounds during the winter, and as a result his performance and durability on the pitch this season are reflected thanks to his offseason workout program.
"I was given a program to do by the physios and I stuck to it. A lot of it was not too much weight-bearing stuff, so quite a lot of biking, rowing machine, and swimming and specific strength work for areas that were causing me concern last year. I feel mentally a lot better being able to come in and train fully and not cheat through sessions."
O'Brien has been able to start all six-matches for the Whitecaps this season, and he has played a full 90' minutes in five of those contests. Vancouver has allowed six goals this season, and he is a big reason why the Whitecaps have been able to push forward with a counter attacking presence knowing full well that the likes of O'Brien, and DeMerit are ready to defend should the opposition get going.
He won't be blasting anymore balls in the Mackems net as he did for his former club Newcastle United in a derby match against Sunderland, but O'Brien makes up for that in other aspects of a match. His ability to read a play, and vast experience as a footballer are something everyone desires and that can't always be taught. He doesn't rack up needless yellow cards, and still, his man-marking drives opponents bonkers.
Sporting kit number 40, O'Brien picked up his first career point in MLS on March, 29 2014, when he earned an assist on Jordan Harvey's marker against the Houston Dynamo as Vancouver prevailed 2-1. O'Brien is well aware that he won't be earning many fantasy points but he is happy to provide offensively off of set plays when he can.
"The only opportunity I'll probably get is off of set pieces. If you're in the right place at the right time attacking that's the name of the game. I think Jordan probably made it look better than what it was because he was anticipating the flick on, so yes I was pleased I could assist in some way."
At 34-years-old, Andy O'Brien isn't bothered by the fact that pundits, supporters, and folks label him as a leader on the Whitecaps. The quiet and soft-spoken O'Brien does his leading on the pitch whether he is asked to take players under his wing or not. Being called a leader is something new and he would prefer you make an assessment of his leaderships skills as he focuses all of his energy on the pitch.
"I don't know, I'll leave that to others to make their judgements on things like that. All I can try to do is contribute as much as I can to the team winning. I've been described as a lot of things, derogatory, and sometimes good things so I take it with a pinch of salt. The most important thing is that we get the right results."
The former St John Fisher Catholic High School lad has come a long way since his early days, and is currently the highest paid defender on the Whitecaps squad. O'Brien is set to earn $280,000.00 this season and it's clear the Whitecaps organization believe he is well worth every penny.
Vancouver will get the opportunity to see its top earning defender in action against the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Robbie Keane and the Galaxy got the better of the Caps with a 1-0 win in Carson, California last weekend. O'Brien and Gershon Koffie were mixed up tactically when Keane slipped by them and scored a setter. The Whitecaps won't want Keane, or Landon Donovan running the show at BC Place and O'Brien will be tasked to stop his fellow Irishman.
"I've got the potential to stop Robbie, and Robbie's got the potential to cause problems for me and for the team. That's the beauty of the game, and hopefully we'll get the upper hand."
Not just any O'Brien will do in Vancouver, the Whitecaps need the best out of Andy O'Brien. Thus far he has been exactly what the Caps have needed since coming over from across the pond and all signs point to that continuing.
Notes: The Whitecaps visited EA Sports in Burnaby on Wednesday to have their
heads scanned for future editions of the EA Sports FIFA gaming
franchise. Players also enjoyed playing the new 2014 FIFA World Cup game.
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