3rd Degree


O’Brien MIA, Trade in the Works?

Source: Ronnie O'Brien for Guevara trade could happen soon.

April 9th, 2006 . 1:40 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Ronnie O’Brien was not in the starting lineup nor on the subs bench for Saturday night’s game against Real Salt Lake.  According to a 3rd Degree source, trade talks have heated up between New York and FC Dallas that would send Ronnie O’Brien to the Red Bulls for Amado Guevara in the next couple of days. O’Brien being left out of the lineup for “personal reasons” adds credence to the source’s info. 
 
Late on Saturday night a second source, this one out of the New York area, has confirmed “serious interest” in a trade between the team teams.  At Pizza Hut Park, FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock would say only that O’Brien was not playing for Dallas for “personal reasons,” yet O’Brien was in attendance in street clothes along with his wife watching the game with other players not in the lineup.  “You will have to ask Colin and write what he says,” said the FCD midfielder when asked why he wasn’t playing.  “Ronnie remains a FC Dallas player for now,” said Hitchcock, “We expect him to be a part of this team, but sometimes things change.”
 
O’Brien has been out of sorts for a few weeks, twice declining to speak to reporters following training.  O’Brien also could be seen expressing anger at the FC Dallas bench in the season opener against Chicago.  Our same trade source indicated that a disagreement with Carlos Ruiz might be at the core of this situation.
 
This off season Guevara had a falling out in New York with Red Bull’s, then MetroStars, General Manager Alexi Lalas.  In numerous media outlets Guevara specifically mentioned wanting to be traded to Dallas.  A player of Guevara’s stature was going to take something significant going the other way in return and O’Brien may now be it.  While in the public eye Guevara and Lalas had claimed to patch things up, most close MLS observers felt that was only lip service as Guevara’s name continued to surface in trade speculation.
 
O’Brien is in the second year of a “two plus” two contract with two option years reaming that pays him roughly $160,000 a year and has been named FCD’s MVP for two years running by this publication.   Former MLS MVP Guevara has previously been linked to FCD in exchange for O’Brien or Ed Johnson, who was subsequently traded to Kansas City, although FCD officials strenuously deny any talks took place to send Johnson to New York.  According to the MLS salaries leaked to Soccer America last year, Guevara makes a base salary of $240,000.  Both player posses green cards and don’t require Senior International roster spots.
 
Could Ronnie O’Brien be close to playing his last game for FC Dallas? Talks certainly appear to be heating up to send him to the Big Apple in a blockbuster trade that would bring 2004 MLS MVP Amado Guevara to Dallas?  With O’Brien healthy, in attendance, not suspended, and certainly looking fully capable of playing; the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he was dropped by the coaches from the team.  How will the mercurial midfielder react to being benched?  Will he now demand a trade, or will bygone by bygones and everything back to normal?  Is there a way back for the player coach relationship after this kind of event?
 
Either way there is probably no going back and things in Dallas are likely to be different going forward.

Categories: News.





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