SA Rising Star Profile: Mullan’s smooth move to L.A.

Brian Mullan is unique: A college draft pick without youth national team experience who stepped straight into an MLS lineup. He arrived in Los Angeles after a high-scoring college career at Creighton and quickly gained the confidence of Coach Sigi Schmid. Get to know the 21-year-old forward in this segment of Socceramerica.com’s series on the USA’s most promising young talent. BRIAN MULLAN Position: Forward Height: 5-8. Weight: 150. Born: April 23, 1978, in Minneola, N.Y. Hometown: Littleton, Colo. College: Creighton. 2001 MLS stats (through May 29): 7 games, 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points. INTERVIEW BY BRYAN ALVAREZ SA: What are your impressions of your first year in MLS? BM: I’ve watched these American soccer icons for years. Now all of a sudden, I’m playing with them. It’s a great experience. When you get to know them, they are really great guys. SA: How is MLS different from the college game? BM: The speed of play is definitely a lot quicker. SA: What is the biggest adjustment you had to make? BM: Knowing where I’m going to go and doing it faster than I’ve ever done it before. SA: What was your favorite moment so far for this season? BM: Probably down in Tampa Bay when I tied the game. It would have been better if I had won it, but it’s nice to make the play. SA: Who has been your greatest influence? BM: Alexi Lalas has been the greatest influence. He’s always talking to me and asking how I’m doing. He’s such a nice guy. He really cares about what’s happening in your life. FAVORITES SA: Who is your favorite actor? BM: Mel Gibson. SA: Who is your favorite actress? BM: Meg Ryan. SA: What is your favorite book? BM: The Harry Potter books. SA: Who is your favorite musician? BM: Cake. SA: What do you do when you are not playing soccer? BM: I like skiing and playing with my dog. I have a Siberian husky. I also like spending time with my wife, Kersten. SA: What is your favorite team? BM: Ajax. SA: Who is your favorite player? BM: David Beckham. A GREAT START SA: What is your first soccer memory? BM: I remember my first game. I scored five goals. It was pretty fun after that. SA: What’s your current living situation? BM: I’m living in an apartment with Isaias Bardales. My wife just graduated a week ago. So she’s coming out here and we’re trying to find a house. It’s been terrible. Geez, it’s very expensive out here. SA: How did you adapt to living in a new city? BM: It’s been a little tough coming from Omaha, Neb. Omaha is a small town compared to L.A. I got used to it during the four years I was there. L.A. is a great change for me. Every time I go somewhere, I hope I don’t get lost. SA: Do you have time to go out, be young? BM: Oh yeah, there’s tons of time. My roommate and I usually go golfing after practice. SA: Being on the road so much, do you get homesick? BM: Oh yes! It doesn’t feel like a home since my wife hasn’t been out here yet. SA: Who is the toughest opponent you faced this year? BM: The MetroStars were tough. I don’t know if it was because it was a long road trip or if they are that good, but we just couldn’t get it together against them. SA: What are your opinions about college and high school players coming out early? BM: For me, college was a great stepping stone. I had opportunities to be educated, meet new people, and live away from home for awhile. If I could have come out of high school or college early, I probably would have done it. I think it will make you that much better. It’s like over in Europe. The greatest players over there start early SA: What can MLS do to improve? BM: They’ve been doing a pretty good job listening to the to soccer community — the people who come watch the games. They should build on that and take their suggestions to heart. SA: What can MLS do to retain its young stars? BM: The player has to want to stay here and help the league grow. It’s grown leaps and bounds since it started. I guess when it all comes down to it, money is the thing that’s going to talk. SA: What is your opinion of single-entity? BM: I haven’t done enough homework on that. SA: What do think about FIFA canceling the Club World Championship? BM: It was a shocking for us all. To be under the impression that you are going to go up against some of the best clubs in the world, it was a great disappointment. It would have been great for the MLS, too. I don’t know what’s going to happen with that. We found out at a team meeting after practice one day. SA: You were starting before Luis Hernandez came back. How do you feel about going back to the bench? BM: I’m not going to be happy about it. Every player wants to play. But, when you’ve had a great player that has proven himself like that, I’m going to have to wait my time and try to prove myself. SA: What is your relationship like with the fans? BM: I guess I’m still kind of unknown. I’ve got two groups, I guess. I see a mom and her son holding up a sign that says “Mullan Rules.” And, I met two guys that are into hockey and they know I used to play. They’re always at the games. The rest of the people don’t know how to pronounce my name yet. SA: So I guess you don’t get recognized in public? BM: Not at all. [laughing] SA: Are you a soccer fan? BM: I love to watch the game. I watch any game I can. It makes you a better player to watch different games and see how other players react to different things.