Brian Mullan

Brian Mullan (born April 23, 1978) is an American former professional soccer player.

He played for the Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, and Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

He won five MLS Cups, two Supporters' Shields, and one U.S. Open Cup during his career.

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

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 to repair a torn ligament 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, qualifying for the playoffs.

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 game in extra time.

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 also received numerous individual accolades for his high school career, including being named a 1996 NSCAA/Umbro High School Boys All-American and the 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 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, their only appearance in the title game in school history.

While in college, he played for the Wisconsin Rebels in 1999 and the Colorado Comets, both in the Premier Development League.

His individual honors during his time in college 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.

Upon graduating, 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.

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, the first Open Cup title in Galaxy history.

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, the first MLS Cup victory in club history.

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.

Although Mullan had played as a striker throughout his career, Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid felt Mullan was better suited to play as a right midfielder.

Unfortunately for Mullan, MLS All-Star and U.S. national team star Cobi Jones played in that position for the Galaxy.

Because the Galaxy were not willing to trade Jones, Schmid began looking to move Mullan to a different team.

On January 17, 2003, Mullan was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes for a 2003 MLS SuperDraft second round pick.

Mullan 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 Round of 16.

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

Not a flashy player, Mullan was known for his work rate, hustle, and determination on the field.

Mullan was born in Mineola, New York, but his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, when he was young.

He played hockey growing up before deciding to focus on soccer full time.

He attended Regis Jesuit High School in nearby Aurora, Colorado.

in 2008, Mullan was selected to the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame.