John O’Brien’s release from ADO Den Haag and subsequent move to Chivas USA of Major League Soccer at the end of last month may not have garnered headlines worldwide but it was big news in American soccer circles. The U.S. international emerged as one of the top U.S. players after his impressive displays at the 2002 World Cup, in which he played every minute in every game for manager Bruce Arena, scoring the opening goal against Portugal. At the time O’Brien was another successful product of the Ajax youth system, which he had joined back in 1994 as a 17-year-old kid from California. Such a move by an American youth player to a respected European outfit was unheard of at the time, which speaks volumes about the talent O’Brien possesses.

However, a slew of injuries have plagued O’Brien since his breakout performance in South Korea and Japan four years ago and a successful stint at Ajax, which included a double in the 2001/02 season, was followed by a move to ADO Den Haag last February. Presently, O’Brien is on the eve of making his debut in MLS with Chivas USA, a club that set records for futility last year when it debuted in MLS with a last place finish. For O’Brien, it’s a far cry from winning trophies with legendary Ajax four years ago to helping Chivas USA turn around an abysmal inaugural campaign.

A few days after O’Brien was unveiled in California as Chivas USA’s newest player, Goal.com caught up with the 28-year-old in WashingtonD.C. where he was training ahead of Chivas USA’s clash with D.C. United. O’Brien did not feature in that match, but he is expected to make his MLS debut in a baptism by fire when Chivas USA play local rivals Los Angeles Galaxy in a Super Clasico on Saturday, April 15.

Goal.com: What do you think the biggest change will be about coming from Holland to playing in the states?

O’Brien: Distances. We just flew five hours [from California] as opposed to Holland where it would be a two hour bus ride to your furthest opponent.

Goal.com : Did you have a lot of fans travel?

O’Brien: We would always travel with some away fans. I don’t know how it is here – I’ve heard Chivas (USA) have a good base.

Goal.com : MLS fan support in general is a bit more regional. For example, fans traveling to see D.C. v. New York will be a lot different than Columbus v. Dallas.

O’Brien: In Holland it would be the same way. Some games are real important – there’s a lot of fans and press – and other games you’re just expected to go in there and win.

Goal.com: What can you bring from your playing experience in Holland to playing in MLS?

O’Brien: When I was over there I played in a pretty professional environment for a long time. In terms of that I’ve got some experience dealing with tight games and tight situations, and so hopefully I can bring that here to the game on the field.

Goal.com: A year ago did you ever think you’d be playing in MLS this April?

O’Brien: I didn’t think I’d be playing in MLS right now, no. But I definitely had thought about it. It looked like something I’d do in the future; it came a little quicker than I thought.

Goal.com: Shifting to the World Cup, who do you think has a tougher group: USA (with Italy, CzechRepublic, Ghana) or Holland (with Argentina, Serbia & Montenegro, Ivory Coast)?

O’Brien: I think we have a tougher group. Holland’s got Serbia & Montenegro, which I think can be a tough team for them, but I think they can come definitely in second place. You never know how they’ll do against Argentina. I think we have a tougher set of games. CzechRepublic and Italy are two of the top European teams, and Ghana is an unpredictable team which could make that a tough game for us, too.

Goal.com: What’s the sense in Holland about the Dutch team heading into this World Cup?

O’Brien: They’re really excited. I think Marco van Basten has done a really good job putting together a young group of guys who like to play and who will work hard for each other. That’s kind of been his attitude, because in the past certain Dutch teams have been filled with stars and haven’t performed well. They have a good talent base, and they’re coming off missing a World Cup so I think everyone – especially the fans – really want to see it and be there since it’s so close to home.

Goal.com: Recently, Goal.com conducted a World Cup of beer where we tasted 32 beers and determined which was the best. Tillburg Dutch Brown Ale came in second.

O’Brien: That’s good. There are some good beers in Holland. Tillburg’s a little bit south of Amsterdam, toward Belgium, too. Yeah, I definitely appreciated some of the beers while I was over there, and I’m glad you guys did, too.

Goal.com: We sure did.

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