FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced today that the club has acquired midfielders Richard Mulrooney, Arturo Alvarez, the sixth overall pick (which they selected Drew Moor) and the 29th overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for midfielder Brad Davis, an allocation and the fourth overall selection in the 2005 SuperDraft. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Once we became aware that Richard Mulrooney was available, we did everything in our power to make this trade a reality," said Elliott. "In addition to being a tremendous player, Richard is a leader and a winner.
"His work ethic on and off the field is unparalleled and, with his addition to the squad, we believe that we have obtained a major piece of the puzzle as we continue to build a championship caliber team."
Mulrooney, 28, was the only San Jose player to appear in every minute of every match during the 2004 season. In 30 matches and 2700 minutes, he registered one goal and eight assists for 10 points. The eight assists were the second highest assist total of his six-year MLS career. Appearing in the MLS All-Star Game for the second time in his career (also in 2002), Mulrooney tallied an assist in the match.
The 5-9, 160-pound midfielder has 14 career caps with the U.S. National Team and appeared in two friendly matches in 2004 versus Denmark on Jan. 18 and Haiti on Mar. 13. The Memphis, Tennessee native is the all-time San Jose leader in assists (44), appearances (163), games started (155), minutes played (14,204), and game-winning assists (14).
The 1999 first round selection (third overall) by San Jose, played his collegiate soccer at Creighton from 1995-1998. He is one of only seven players in NCAA history to record at least 50 assists in his career (51 assists). Named to NSCAA All-American first team in 1998, Mulrooney was also the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player at conference tournament. A three-time All-MVC All-Conference and All-Tournament team selection, he helped lead Creighton to the 1996 NCAA Final Four.
Alvarez, 19, played 11 matches (two starts) with San Jose last year and collected one goal. Selected by San Jose in the second round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Alvarez became the youngest member of the Earthquakes to ever play in an MLS match and also became the youngest player in club history to score a goal. Dividing his time in 2003 between San Jose and the United States Under-18 and Under 20-teams, he made the U.S. roster for the Under-20 FIFA World Youth Championships, but a groin injury kept him sidelined for the tournament. A native of Houston, Texas, Alvarez played his high school soccer at Mayde Creek in Houston.
