It was supposed to be a homecoming for Ciaran O’Brien Sunday night at Qwest Field in Seattle. But the Decatur High School graduate was no where to be found when the Colorado Rapids took on Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer action.

That’s because O’Brien is currently playing for the Austin Aztex of the USL-First Division soccer league. The midfielder, who was Colorado’s first-round draft pick last year, was loaned for the rest of the season to the Aztex after not receiving any playing time in Colorado. The Sounders won the game, 3-0.

“It was fantastic actually,” O’Brien told austinaztex.com earlier this month. “It’s definitely a change. It’s good to be involved and be able to play.”

After a standout career at UC-Santa Barbara where he was named Big West Midfielder of the Year, O’Brien was drafted by Colorado as the No. 5 pick in the 2008 draft. A Generation adidas player, O’Brien has been on loan before, playing for the Seattle Sounders for five games last season.

O’Brien hasn’t received playing time during his stay with Colorado, playing in only one game in two seasons. His only game time action was cut short thanks to a red card, leaving him with only 19 minutes of work in his MLS career.

“It’s harder in the MLS now,” O’Brien said. “There’s no reserve league. It’s a little bit tougher for guys who aren’t playing to get games.”

O’Brien should receive plenty of playing time with the Aztex. The team has suffered numerous injuries during the season and currently sit 2-6-6 in league play.