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Richard Mulrooney, one of the key members of the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS, is entering his second season as a volunteer assistant coach at Stanford University.
Mulrooney was selected in the first round of the 1999 MLS College Draft (3rd overall) after playing collegiately at Creighton University. During his tenure at Creighton, Mulrooney played for then head coach Bret Simon, who now directs the Cardinal men’s soccer program.
Mulrooney has been a member of the Earthquakes for four seasons. In 2002, he was named an MLS All-Star. In 2001, he helped the Earthquakes to the MLS Championship with a 13-2-4 record. During the 2000 MLS season, Mulrooney was voted the Earthquakes Honda MVP because of his consistent, versatile play. During the 2000 season, Mulrooney started 29 games and led the team in assists (9). One of the hardest working players on the Earthquakes, Mulrooney is one of the leaders in the midfield. His strengths include solid tackling and intelligent distribution from the middle of the field. He takes all the team’s corner kicks and is also a threat on free kicks.
During his career at Creighton, Mulrooney was an All-American, team captain and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Mulrooney has trained with the U.S. National Team. In 2002, he participated in training camp for the U.S. final qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup against Trinidad & Tobago. He was also part of the training camp for the 2002 Gold Cup with the United States throughout duration of the tournament. Mulrooney earned a first cap for the United States in 2002 against South Korea, entering as a sub in 68th minute. He was called up to U.S. National Team camp for first time prior to World Cup qualifier vs. Guatemala in September, 2000, but did not make the final roster. He was also called up to another camp before an October 2000 game vs. Mexico.
As a high school senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Memphis, Tenn, Mulrooney was named a Soccer America "Super 11 Recruit" and one of USA Today’s "Top 25 Seniors" in 1994. In 1994, he played in France with the Olympic Development Team and helped the south team win the Puma Cup championship in 1995. Mulrooney was also a member of the United States Under-20 team. Mulrooney majored in business at Creighton University in Omaha, Ne.