Brian Mullan

At 46 years old, Brian Mullan has this physical status:

Brian Mullan (born April 23, 1978) is a retired American soccer player.

He is one of only four players to have won the MLS Cup five or more times.

He also won four caps for the United States between 2004 and 2007.

Personal life

Mullan was born in Mineola, New York, to Bob and Jackie Mullan, but his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, when he was young. Mullan and his 2 brothers grew up playing as hockey goalkeepers, but Mullan decided to focus on soccer. Mullan began dating his wife Kersten while in high school, although they attended different high schools. She originally attended the University of North Carolina-Asheville to play soccer, but she transferred to Creighton University to be closer to Mullan. They got married in 2001 and together they have two sons. Following his retirement from pro soccer, Mullan became a nurse.

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Career

Mullan was born in Mineola, New York, but his family and his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, when he was a child. He played hockey growing up before deciding to concentrate fully on soccer. He attended Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. In 1995 and 1996, Mullan led Regis Jesuit to the Colorado 4A Boys Soccer State Championship and a 5A State Championship. Mullan scored a hat-trick and one assist in the Regis Jesuit's 5–3 victory in 1996. He has also received many awards for his high school work, including being named a 1996 NSCAA/Umbro All-American and 1996 NSCAA/Umbro Colorado Player of the Year.

He played his college soccer at Creighton University from 1997 to 2000, where he led the Bluejays to the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Tournament in 1997, 1998, and 2000, with Mullan being named Tournament MVP in 2000. He also helped Creighton reach the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament final, the team's first appearance in the title game in school history. His personal awards during his time in college include the NSCAA All-America Second Team in 2000, First Team All-Conference in 1999, 1999, and 2000, Second Team All-Conference in 1997, and the MVC All-Freshman Team in 1997. He ranks 6th in all-time goals, 4th in all-time assists, and 4th in all time appearances for the Bluejays. Mullan was inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

He appeared for the Wisconsin Rebels in 1999 and the Colorado Comets, both in the Premier Development League, while in college.

Mullan was drafted 9th overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft. Due to surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, he missed the start of the season. In a 1–0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on April 21, he made his professional debut on April 21. Mullan's first career assist in the Galaxy's next game was a 3–2 victory over the Rapids. Mullan scored his first two goals of his pro career on May 9, beating the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the second minute. On July 24, he underwent ankle surgery to fix a torn ligament that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season. In Mullan's absence, the Galaxy finished third in the Western Conference, qualifying for the playoffs. In the first round of three games, Los Angeles advanced past the MetroStars. Mullan recovered from the injury in time to face the Chicago Fire in the semifinals. He appeared in all three games of the series and was credited with helping Mauricio Cienfuegos' unexpected death, a series-winning game in extra time. Los Angeles lost 2–1 to the San Jose Earthquakes, with Mullan appearing off the bench in the game. Mullan came as a substitute for Los Angeles in the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final, beating the New England Revolution 2–1, the first Open Cup title in Galaxy history.

Mullan scored his first goal of the 2002 season on May 4, 2002, beating the Kansas City Wizards 2–1. Mullan had two assists in a 4–0 Galaxy victory over the Rapids on August 17. He had three goals and two assists from 21 appearances during the regular season, helping the Galaxy win the 2002 Supporters' Shield. Mullan made four appearances off the bench during LA's six playoff games, leading the Galaxy to victory in MLS Cup 2002, the first MLS Cup victory in club history. He also appeared in the 2002 U.S. Open Cup as he helped the Galaxy reach the final, where they lost to the Columbus Crew.

Although Mullan had served as a striker throughout his career, Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid felt Mullan was more suited to play as a right midfielder. Cobi Jones, a member of Mullan's MLS All-Star and U.S. national team player, spent time with the Galaxy in that position. Schmid was trying to move Mullan to a different team because the Galaxy weren't able to trade Jones.

Mullan was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes for a 2003 MLS SuperDraft second round pick. Mullan made his Earthquakes debut on March 16, losing by 4–2 in C.D. Municipal in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup Round of 16. He will start the second leg as a 2–1 San Jose victory, with Municipal winning 5–4 on aggregate. Mullan contributed to the Earthquakes' 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in San Jose's first game of the MLS season on April 12, Mullan assisted Brian Ching's goal in the 1st minute. In their next game against San Jose, he scored his first goal for the Quakes, allowing the city Wizards to draw 1-1. Mullan had a fruitful first season as a wide midfielder, scoring 6 goals and releasing 9 assists in the regular season, both career highs. He appeared in all 30 regular season games as he helped the Earthquakes finish first in the Western Conference and second overall. San Jose faced Mullan's former team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, in the first round of the playoffs. San Jose returned home only to see the Galaxy take the lead after 13 minutes after losing the first leg 2–0, giving Los Angeles a 4-goal lead on aggregate. The Earthquakes roared to score 5 goals and win in what some believe to be the best comeback in MLS history. San Jose defeated Kansas City in the conference final, and we progress to the conference finals. As the Quakes defeated the Wizards 3–2 to advance to MLS Cup, Mullan scored once. San Jose defeated the Chicago Fire 4–2 to win MLS Cup 2003, with Mullan having one assist in the final.

The Earthquakes started the 2004 season on March 17, losing 3–0 to Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Mullan will score once in the return leg, but Alajuelense defeated Alaguelense 3–1 on aggregate. In a 4–2 victory over the Galaxy on May 22, he scored his first league goal of the year. San Jose defeated Washington, D.C. United 21-0, Mullan had one goal and one assist on August 7, and Mullan was named MLS Player of the Week for the Week. Mullan had another good regular season in 2004, playing 28 games (all starts) and gaining 3 goals and 8 assists. The Earthquakes' season was a disappointment, finishing 4th in the west and qualifying for the playoffs by just two points. In the playoffs, San Jose faced the Kansas City Wizards. Mullan played every minute of the two legs as KC advanced 3–2 on aggregate. Mullan was also on three appearances in the Open Cup, assisting the Earthquakes in reaching the semifinals.

San Jose and Mullan's 2005 season began on April 2nd with a 2–2 draw in the New England Revolution. Mullan sustained an ankle injury in a 0–0 draw with FC Dallas on May 14. Mullan returned to the lineup after missing 7 games and having the game winning assist after setting up Dwayne De Rosario in the 88th minute, giving San Jose a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. In a 2–2 draw with Dallas on July 2, he scored his first goal of the season. Mullan scored once and had one assist in the Quakes' 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final match of the regular season on October 15. He had 3 goals and 6 assists from 25 regular season appearances while assisting the Earthquakes in their first Supporters' Shield in club history. Mullan participated in both legs of the first round against the Galaxy and had one assist, but Los Angeles will progress 4–2 on aggregate. In the Open Cup, he made 2 appearances and scored one goal.

The Earthquakes franchise and players have migrated to Houston, Texas, where they were rebranded as the Houston Dynamo ahead of the 2006 season. In the first game in Dynamo history, Mullan had 2 assists on April 2, 2006, helping Houston beat the Colorado Rapids 5-2. The Dynamo beat Real Salt Lake 2–1 on June 17 after he had a goal and an assist. Mullan finished the regular season with 31 appearances, 2 goals, and 4 assists, leading the Dynamo to finish second in the Western Conference for second. Mullan had one assist in a 2–1 loss in the first leg of the conference semifinals. Houston will win by 3–2 on aggregate in the second leg. In the conference final, Mullan scored and assisted Houston in a 3–1 victory over Colorado, progressing to MLS Cup 2006. During the first 90 minutes, Houston and the New England Revolution fought to a 0–0 draw in the final. Taylor Twellman broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, giving the Revs the lead. Mullan intercepted the ball on the right wing and whipped in a cross that Brian Ching headed into the goal to tie the game at one. The Dynamo would win the game on penalties. Mullan made 2 appearances and one assist in the 2006 U.S. Open Cup, where they lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1, who fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1.

With a 1–0 loss to Puntarenas F.C. on February 21, the Dynamo began the 2007 season. In the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, the winners will advance to the Final Four. Mullan and the Dynamo will return to action in the second leg after losing 2–0 to advance to the semifinals. Houston defeated C.F. In leg one of the semifinals, Pachuca defeated Pachuca 2–0 at home. Mullan was on the scoreboard in the second leg, but Houston lost 5–2 in extra time. On April 8, the Dynamo kicked off MLS action with a 0-0 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Mullan scored once on June 21, helping the Dynamo beat Chivas USA 4–0. During a 0–0 draw with Toronto FC on July 15, Mullan sustained a facial fracture. In the North American SuperLiga, he returned to action on July 25 after a 1–0 victory over Club América. Mullan made three appearances and scored once during the SuperLiga, where the Dynamo reached the semifinals, where they lost on penalties to Pachuca. Mullan led the Dynamo to a second-place finish in the Western Conference on the regular season with 1 goal and 3 assists from 28 appearances. Mullan was in every minute of Houston's playoff run as they returned to MLS Cup, where they defeated New England once more, this time by a score of 2–1. Mullan was named Dynamo Team Co-MVP alongside goalkeeper Pat Onstad in recognition of their outstanding results throughout the year.

Mullan has signed a new deal with the Dynamo ahead of the 2008 season. He also underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. The Dynamo began the 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, with Mullan appearing three times in the tournament as Houston advanced to the semifinals, where they lost 3–0 on aggregate to Deportivo Saprissa. In a 2–2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 19 Mullan earned his first assist of the season. Houston defeated Atlante F.C. in the first game of the 2008 North American SuperLiga campaign, with Mullan a goal and an assist. 4–0. Mullan helped the Dynamo advance to the final after losing on penalties to New England. He appeared in every game of the tournament and had one goal and two assists. Mullan scored his first league goal of the season in a 2–0 victory over D.C. United on July 23, Mullan scored his first league goal of the season. On August 16, he had a goal and an assist in the Dynamo's landslide over Real Salt Lake 4–3. He had 3 goals and 5 assists from 30 appearances during the regular season, leading the Dynamo to a first-place finish and a second-place finish overall, 6 points off the Supporters' Shield. In the first round of the playoffs, Houston faced the New York Red Bulls. Despite Mullan's return to both legs, the Red Bulls won 4–1 on aggregate. Mullan made 4 appearances and 1 assist in the CONCACAF Champions League's 2008-09 season, ranking Houston 2nd in the group.

Mullan and the Dynamo began the 2009 season on February 24 with a 1–1 draw against Atlante in the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Houston will lose the second leg 3–0. On June 13, he got his first assist of the season by assisting Houston in a 3–1 victory over FC Dallas. Mullan brought up Brian Ching in the 89th minute to give Houston a 1–1 victory. Mullan sustained an ankle injury during a 2–1 loss to the Seattle Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on July 21. Mullan appeared on three occasions and had 1 assist during the tournament. On August 15, he returned to the field after being held off the bench in a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake. Mullan made 25 appearances and had 4 assists during the regular season, leading Houston to finish second in the Western Conference and third overall, one point behind Supporters' Shield winners Columbus Crew. Mullan appeared in every game of the Dynamo's playoff run, assisting them in reaching the conference finals, where they lost to the Galaxy 2–0. Mullan had surgery to remove bone spurs and loosening in his right ankle early in the season.

Mullan scored his first goal of the 2010 season on May 1 in a 3–0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards. Mullan scored in the 90th minute to make the New York Red Bulls 2–2 draw. Mullan's assistance in a 2–1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on September 5 in what was his last game for the Dynamo. In his last season in Houston, he had 3 goals and 3 assists in 22 league games. Mullan and his wife were able to move back to Colorado to be closer to family, and Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear contacted Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear about being traded to the Colorado Rapids, despite the Dynamo struggling in the league, having the second fewest points in MLS at the time, as well as Mullan and his wife's desire to move back to Colorado to be closer to family. Mullan's 184 games at the time of the trade were the most in Dynamo history, though it now ranks eighth, 8th.

Mullan was traded alongside a fourth-round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Colin Clark and allocation funds on September 15, 2010. He made his Rapids debut on September 18, getting off to a 3–0 victory over the New England Revolution. Mullan had two assists in the Rapids' last seven regular season games since being cut for the first time since 2006. Mullan was a member of the Columbus Crew in the first round, and the Rapids won by a 1–0 victory. The Rapids will miss the second leg 2–1, tying the aggregate score. The game came down to penalty kicks, which Colorado defeated 5–4. The Rapids defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the conference finals, with Colorado winning 1–0 to advance to their first MLS Cup final since 1997. Mullan was in control of all 120 minutes of the final, assisting the Rapids in beating FC Dallas 2–1 in extra time to win their first MLS Cup in franchise history. Mullan became the second player in MLS history to win at least 5 MLS Cups, the first being his former Earthquake teammate Jeff Agoos. Todd Dunivant and Landon Donovan, both teammates of Mullan's from San Jose, have since been voted on to the MLS Top 100, with Donovan being the only player in MLS history with six wins.

The Rapids were playing the Seattle Sounders on April 22, 2011. Mullan had the ball removed from him by Sounders winger Steve Zakuani in the third minute. Mullan, who felt he had been fouled by Sounders defender Tyson Wahl on the play, got up and chased Zakuani down. Mullan attacked Zakuani's right leg with a strong and reckless attack, breaking the tibia and fibula. Mullan was given a red card, but Zakuani was stretchered off and rushed to the hospital, so it was seen on the ambulance. Mullan was quoted as saying "I'm sorry for Steve" after the game. I had no intention to hurt him in the least. It was a challenge I've done hundreds of times, and I'd definitely do it again." In the post-game interview, Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, who worked with Mullan, defended Mullan, saying the injury was not motivated by Mullan. "I am deeply sorry that my tackle resulted in Steve's injury," Mullan wrote on April 27, "I am deeply sorry to Steve and all those affected by his injury." Mullan took time off work and sought advice about the occurrence. Mullan would face the red card's automatic one-game suspension as well as a fine on April 28, according to the company. The 10-game suspension is the longest in league history for an on-field tackle, but some fans and journalists feel the suspension is too short. The Rapids had intended to appeal the suspension but Mullan declined to appeal. On June 26, he came back from suspension, losing 4–1 to the Columbus Crew in 67 minutes. Mullan's first goal for the Rapids came on August 5, leading to their 2–0 victory over Columbus. Mullan made 22 appearances and had 1 goal and assist throughout the regular season, helping Colorado prepare for the playoffs. Mullan helped the Rapids win by 1–0 over Columbus in the first round of the playoffs. Mullan was involved in every minute of the conference semifinals against Sporting Kansas City, but SKC won each leg 2–0. Mullan also appeared on three occasions and scored 1 goal in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. On December 5, 2011, Mullan signed a multi-year contract extension with Colorado.

Mullan had his first assist of the 2012 season on April 1, assisting Colorado in defeating the Chicago Fire 2–0. The Rapids lost 1–0 at the Seattle Sounders on April 14, 2012. It was Mullan's first game in Seattle since he had strained Steve Zakuani in 2011 and Sounders fans booed him every time he touched the ball. The Rapids defeated FC Dallas 2–0 on May 6, Mullan had 2 assists. In a 2–1 loss to the Earthquakes on June 20, he scored his first goal of the season. Mullan and the Rapids visited the Sounders on July 7, losing 2–1. Zakuani returned from injury during the game, but he was forced to return as a late substitute. Mullan and Zakuani exchanged jerseys and hugged each other after the match. "I forgave him a long time ago, but I think it's helpful for the people to see" after the game, Zakuani said. The Rapids defeated Real Salt Lake 1–0 in Mullan's 300th MLS regular season game on August 4, Mullan played in his 300th MLS regular season game. On October 18, he underwent knee surgery, causing him to miss the final two games of the regular season. Mullan finished the season with 2 goals and 7 assists from 28 regular appearances. He had been suffering from knee pains all season, and with the Rapids already disqualified from the playoffs, Colorado and Mullan went forward with the procedure. It was the first time Mullan had missed out on the playoffs during his MLS tenure.

Rapids coach scar Pareja converted Mullan to a left-back at the start of the 2013 season. He appeared in the first four games of the season before being switched to a right-back. Mullan did not appear during the last three months of the season, partly due to injuries, but also because Pareja preferred different players in that position. Mullan made 16 appearances and had 2 assists during the regular season, helping the Rapids qualify for the playoffs. However, he would not be able to attend their one playoff game. Mullan's deal option for the 2014 season was rejected by the Rapids on December 10.

Mullan signed a new deal with the Rapids on January 14, 2014. During the offseason, he had his right knee examined. Mullan resigned from professional soccer at the end of the 2014 season.

Mullan played for the United States in the 72nd minute after losing 1–1 to Poland in a friendly on July 11, 2004, becoming a replacement in the 72nd minute. In a 3–0 win over Colombia in a friendly, he got his first appearance for the United States. He played in the third and fourth caps of his career in March 2007, serving as a substitute in friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala.

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