FRISCO, Texas - Major League Soccer announced today that FC Dallas midfielder Richard Mulrooney has been selected at the 2006 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. The eight-year MLS veteran returned from nearly a year on the sidelines through injury to play a pivotal role in FC Dallas' run to the best record in the Western Conference this season.
Mulrooney suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during a game in San Jose on May 14, 2005, after scoring two goals and adding two assists in the first seven games of his first season with FC Dallas. That injury would keep him out for the rest of the 2005 campaign and the start of 2006.
Following a pair of Reserve team outings, Mulrooney return to the first team on May 10, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy at Pizza Hut Park. On May 13 - 364 days from the date of his original injury - Mulrooney returned to the FC Dallas starting lineup, playing all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Houston.
The 29-year old Mulrooney finished his second season with FCD with 2,075 minutes played in 25 games, tallying one goal and nine assists. His four game-winning assists were tied for most in MLS. Additionally, Mulrooney was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the third time in his MLS career and started in central midfield as the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea 1-0 in July.
The MLS Comeback Player of the Year winner was determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players, and MLS coaches and General Managers. Mulrooney was selected ahead of Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas and D.C. United forward Alecko Eskandarian to claim the award.
FC Dallas is back in action on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Colorado Rapids in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinal Series at Pizza Hut Park. Following last weekend's 2-1 win in Colorado, FCD can now advance to the Western Conference Championship with a win or a draw against the Rapids in Game Two.
