Western Conference-leading FC Dallas will be well-represented at the 2006 Major League Soccer All-Star Game on Aug. 5 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. A pair of veteran Hoops midfielders, Richard Mulrooney and Ronnie O'Brien, are set to make the trip up to the home of the Chicago Fire to help the league's best square off against Chelsea FC, the two-time defending champions of the English Premier League.
This marks the third career All-Star appearance for each player. Mulrooney, who was one of two players picked by league commissioner Don Garber, played in the midseason affair both in 2002 and 2004 while with San Jose and had an assist in each game. </p>
O'Brien has played in the last two events, representing the Hoops well on both occasions. He had an assist in 2004 and scored last year in the 56th minute, a tally which proved to be the deciding goal in the All-Stars' 4-1 win over the EPL's Fulhum FC at Columbus Crew Stadium. He joins the squad after being selected by the team's head coach, Peter Nowak of D.C. United.</p>
Both players are happy with their selection.</p>
"It's always an honor," Mulrooney said. "Every time a selection is made and I'm on it, I'm going to enjoy it to the most. You just never know if there's going to be another."</p>
O'Brien agreed. "It's obviously nice," he said.
"It's good to get a little bit of recognition. It's nice that the coach picked me. It shows that he respects me as a player."
Mulrooney is looking forward to representing his team and league well.
"I'm going to make sure that I go in and not only enjoy the weekend but represent MLS and the best of their ability against arguably the best club team in the world, Chelsea," he said.
For O'Brien, being an All-Star remains a big honor. "You want to represent your team well and you want to do well for yourself," he said. "It's an honor to be picked for it."
Being named an All-Star is especially meaningful for Mulrooney. The eight-year MLS veteran missed almost all of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in May '05 at San Jose and making his return nearly one year to the day on May 10 against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Pizza Hut Park.
Since returning, Mulrooney has played in 12 games, starting 11 and has shown the form that has made him an All-Star on two previous occasions with four assists, tying him with O'Brien for the second-most on the squad.
"This one was a surprise but in a good way," he said. "I missed almost all of last year and the first six or seven games this year. To be rewarded for the play that I've come back with after such a serious injury, it gives me the feeling that I must be doing something right."
Mulrooney was also quick to credit his teammates for his selection.
"I think that neither myself nor Ronnie would have been here without the team," he said. "If we would have only won four or five games this year, neither of us would be here. We don't go (to the All-Star Game) to represent our last names, we go to represent the name on the front, which is Dallas."
Once again, O'Brien has been a solid midfield presence for the Hoops. In 16 games, all starts, he has one goal and four assists. Two of his helpers have been game-winners for the Hoops so far this year. In each of his last two seasons, Ronnie has been named to the MLS Best XI team and is making a strong push to make it three straight this year.
He was quick to compliment Mulrooney on being picked for his third career All-Star Game.
"Richard has done well this year," he said. "He has come back from a full year off, settled into back the team and played well. He's playing well but I don't think he feels he's 100% yet. It will be nice to go up there with another player from the team. Hopefully we'll have a good weekend."
Mulrooney echoes O'Brien's sentiment about sharing the experience with a teammate.
"It's always good to go with a teammate," Mulrooney said. "In the past, I was fortunate to go with some other San Jose players. You always want to go to the off-time things like dinners with someone that you know. Ronnie and I are good friends. To be able to go with someone you know makes it that much more fun."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
