Brian Mullan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mullan was born in Mineola, New York, but his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, when he was young. He played hockey growing up before deciding to focus on soccer full time. He attended Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. Mullan led Regis Jesuit to a Colorado 4A Boys Soccer State Championship in 1995 and a 5A State Championship in 1996. In the 5A title game in 1996, Mullan scored a hat-trick and had one assist to help Regis Jesuit win 5–3. He was named a 1996 NSCAA/Umbro High School Boys All-American and the 1996 NSCAA/Umbro Colorado Player of the Year. He played college soccer at Creighton University from 1997 to 2000, where he led the Bluejays to Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Tournament titles 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. His individual honors include NSCAA All-America Second Team in 2000, NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team in 2000, First Team All-Conference in 1998, 1999, and 2000, Second Team All-Conference in 1997, and 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. In 2008, Mullan was selected to the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame. While in college, he played for the Wisconsin Rebels in 1999 and the Colorado Comets in the Premier Development League.

In Their Own Story

In MLS Cup 2001, Los Angeles fell to the San Jose Earthquakes 2–1, with Mullan appearing off the bench. In the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final, he came on as a substitute to help LA defeat the New England Revolution 2–1. During the 2002 playoffs, he appeared in all three games of the semifinals against the Chicago Fire and recorded an assist on Mauricio Cienfuegos's sudden death, series-winning goal in extra time.

Reader's Guide

Mullan was drafted 9th overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft. He missed the start of the season due to surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He made his professional debut on April 21, getting the start in a 1–0 win over the Colorado Rapids. In the Galaxy's next game, Mullan recorded his first career assist in a 3–2 win over the Rapids. On May 9, Mullan scored the first two goals of his pro career, with the second coming in the 92nd minute to give LA a 4–4 draw with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He underwent ankle surgery on July 24 that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season. The Galaxy finished top of the Western Conference in Mullan's absence. Los Angeles advanced past the MetroStars in the first round in three games. Mullan returned from the injury in time to face the Chicago Fire in the semifinals. He appeared in all three games of the series and recorded an assist on Mauricio Cienfuegos's sudden death, series winning goal in extra time. At MLS Cup 2001, Los Angeles fell to the San Jose Earthquakes 2–1, with Mullan appearing off the bench in the game. In the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final, Mullan came on as a substitute to help LA defeat the New England Revolution 2–1. On May 4, 2002, Mullan scored his first goal of the 2002 season in a 2–1 win over the Kansas City Wizards. On August 17, Mullan recorded two assists in a 4–0 Galaxy win against the Rapids. He finished the regular season with 3 goals and 2 assists from 21 appearances, helping the Galaxy win the 2002 Supporters' Shield. Mullan made four appearances off the bench during LA's six playoff games, helping the Galaxy win MLS Cup 2002. He also made three appearances in the 2002 U.S. Open Cup as he helped the Galaxy reach the final, where they lost to the Columbus Crew. Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid felt Mullan was better suited to play as a right midfielder, but Cobi Jones played that position for the Galaxy. On January 17, 2003, Mullan was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes for a 2003 MLS SuperDraft second round pick. He made his debut for the Earthquakes on March 16, getting the start in a 4–2 loss to C.S.D. Municipal in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. He started the second leg as well, a 2–1 San Jose win, with Municipal advancing 5–4 on aggregate. On April 12, Mullan recorded an assist on Brian Ching's goal in the 1st minute to help the Earthquakes to a 2–1 win

Did You Know?

• Mullan is one of only four players to have won MLS Cup five or more times.
• He scored a hat-trick and had one assist in the 1996 Colorado 5A state championship game.
• Mullan was named MLS Player of the Week on August 7, 2004, after a goal and an assist against D.C. United.
• He was selected to the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.