However, the family did not remain in Virginia, but moved to Kearny, New Jersey where O'Brien was immersed in one of the country's most productive soccer regions.
In 1928, the Giants, along with two other teams from the ASL, were suspended from the league for playing National Challenge Cup matches.
When the ASL boycotted the National Cup, the Giants defied the league and played its games anyway, leading to its suspension.
In 1930 the owner of the Giants was forced to sell the club as he also owned New York Hakoah, another ASL team.
Although selected for the United States team to compete in the first World Cup, he had to decline the offer because at that time he was not a U.S. citizen.