On Dynamo highlights from the 2009 MLS season so far, a familiar phrase keeps coming through the speakers: "Mulrooney at the back." Houston has scored four goals in MLS play this season, and right back Richard Mulrooney has had a hand in setting up each goal, despite tallying just one official assist.
Against Columbus in the MLS opener on March 21, Mulrooney's long ball out of the back found Chris Wondolowski, and he and Brian Ching exchanged passes to set up Ching's goal. Against San Jose on March 28, Mulrooney earned his only assist of the year with a surging run and pass out wide to Stuart Holden for a cross that set up Wondolowski's goal. Mulrooney's dangerous long ball into the box also started the play that led to a 25-yard strike by Brad Davis.
Finally, on April 19, Mulrooney took a pass from Geoff Cameron deep in his own half and stepped up to the halfway line before starting a move that included three more Dynamo players en route to Brian Ching in the penalty area for his game-winning Goal of the Week.
The quiet, modest Mulrooney is aware of his contributions but, predictably, says he is just fitting into the bigger scheme.
"To know that I've helped start goals is great, but having said that, I think everybody has a part in it," the 32-year-old Mulrooney said. "I think defense creates offense, so if the ball comes to me, I just try to do something positive with it."
Mulrooney arrived in Houston from Toronto FC in 2007 as one of the league's top central midfielders, despite missing most of the 2005 season due to injury, but he was acquired to fill the Dynamo's right back spot after an injury to Craig Waibel.
"It's a right back spot, but [head coach Dominic Kinnear] expects me to get forward and attack, so knowing that I've helped create goals - that's saying I've somewhat done my job back there," Mulrooney said. "Everybody's contributed, so I don't put too much weight into it, but it's nice to know that I'm helping out."
Mulrooney slid into the spot almost seamlessly in 2007, starting every game after the trade and contributing seven total assists while also providing Houston with added flexibility. He moved up to holding midfield when Ricardo Clark was suspended and helped the Dynamo to their second MLS Cup title.
He still spends most of his time at right back and is on the All-Star ballot as a defender for the first time this season. With more than 250 MLS games and more career regular season assists (65) than any of his teammates, Mulrooney is often asked to make the first key pass to start an attack.
"I think usually my first option is to go to Brian [Mullan] at right mid," Mulrooney said of his mindset when he has the ball. "Second, obviously, having [Brian] Ching up top - the best target guy in the league in my mind - find him. Then after that, it's what teams give you. ... But it's mostly about possession and trying to pick the right pass and finding the best opportunity for somebody on the field other than myself."
That unselfish attitude mirrors that of his right-side companion, Mullan, a former teammate in college at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and in pro soccer with the San Jose Earthquakes. The two complement each other perfectly on the field.
"I know he's relentless, so if I'm in a defensive stance and the guy beats me, I know Brian's got my back," Mulrooney said. "If I've got the ball and Brian's making a run, I think he knows that I can pretty much find him with the ball - I'm a pretty good passer of the ball. We just know our game very well. We have an understanding even without having to talk on the field, and when we communicate, it's that much better."
Ironically, it was Mullan who found Mulrooney with the perfect pass for a key goal in the 2003 MLS Cup final, just one example of their apparent telepathy. The duo's frequent right-sided overlaps and interchanges set up chances for both players to get crosses into the box, keying the Dynamo attack.
While the final pass and finish have not been there as often as the Dynamo would like so far, there's a good chance that when Houston does score, it started with "Mulrooney at the back."
