The USMNT roster was just announced and Mullan (and Gaven) have been called up, looking for their first caps
Re: Brian Mullan Kudos to Brian and Brian but what amazed me is that LD has 51 caps...51 caps at age 22. Unreal.
Re: Brian Mullan I'm so happy for the Brian's. They finally got their well-deserved chance to prove to Bruce what they can offer. Hopefully they will see some minutes in the game now! What Landon has done is very impressive. When I remember all that he has done for the U.S. and the Quakes, I'm always telling myself not to take it for granted that he plays for our team. Looks like a great roster for the Poland game, what with Bocanegra, Howard, McBride, Beasley, on it, not to mention our guys. Looking forward to the game; it should be a good one.
Re: Brian Mullan Sometime during the first home game Mullan played for the Quakes, I said to my season ticket buddies, "L.A. let this guy go?" Sometime during Mullan's second game, I said, "He's the Man!" Mulrooney has such a stellar work ethic, but Mullan looks absolutely manic out there. Love it!
Re: Brian Mullan Awesome ! Hats off to Mullan, he totally deserves it. Last week it was discussed that Mullan should play for team USA. I wonder if Bruce Arena goes on BigSoccer ?
Re: Brian Mullan Congrats to the Brians, they both deserve it. OTOH, does this mean they along with Landon will all miss a game on 7/11? Is there a game on 7/11? A lot of firepower gone for that one...
Re: Brian Mullan I believe, he does, and his screen name (in San Jose forum at least) is living_ded_boy.
The two Brians finally get their due for the USMNT... Ching had that one cap last year against Wales here at Spartan, and could have earned much more playing time had it not been for his injury last year. He has returned stronger than before and now he gets a chance to impress Arena. Mullan has broken out this season with his midfield play, and now he gets to see if he can compete at the international level. Based on the given roster, it's a mix of the usual regulars, some people who have been on the team that are now getting another chance based on their club play, and a few newcomers looking for their first cap. This is the one chance where Ching and Mullan get a look before the semifinal round starts later in the year. Of note that Mulrooney had trained and played with the US National Team but still tends to be on the outside looking in. Thanks to the enormous depth on the USMNT based on MLS and the Euro-based players, spots on the team are competitive now that the road to Germany has begun. Cheers!
Only three fowards in the roster: FW (3): Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Brian McBride (Fulham FC/ENG), Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards) Assuming, Donovan will play in midfield. Do you think, Bruce Arena will try playing "two towers" with McBride and Ching up front; or will Wolff go full 90 with McBride and Ching both playing 45 minutes (kind of evaluating if Ching can fulfill the target forward role when McBride retires from the Nats)?
Re: Brian Mullan How about the Dallas game on July 7 -- you know, Hawaiian Heritage Night? They wouldn't pull Ching away from that, would they?
Re: Brian Mullan Since the US-Poland game is just a friendly and not a WC qualifier, Arena will probably allow Ching, Mullan and Donovan to report after the big Hawaiian Heritage game.
Re: Brian Mullan No, I'm pretty sure they will only miss the July 10 game vs. the Metrostars. On ussoccer.com or sjearthquakes.com (can't remember which one), it says they will fly out to the Nats on July 8 after the Dallas game.
I love Ching - he has such a great nose for the goal. Honestly though, I don't think he has serious nat potential. Brian: Go and prove me wrong! Mullan, on other hand, is the real deal. I think this guy could have an impact. The Quake's loss, USA's gain.
I'm proud of Mullan and Ching, but I'd be surprised if either of them got significant playing time against Poland. With Donovan, Ching, and Mullan gone for the Metros match on July 10, our offense will be severely depleted. Perhaps Walker will be healthy enough to partner with DeRosario?
That was noted in the Earthquakes release. The three will play next week against Dallas, and then join the US team immediately after... Donovan is spotted at midfield now. There are a few other forwards (Mathis who is a proven commodity? Eddie Johnson? Alecko? even Adu despite playing fewer minutes) that warrant a chance at the national team, but right now Ching gets another chance to impress Arena. He could be one player who will be a mainstay, though as a sub. I always picture Wolff playing well with Mathis and they do have that knack for feeding off each other, much like Donovan and Beasley. Ching and McBride do have that height to be the "go to" guy and Bake is getting old, though he has the drive for one more WC appearance. Off hand, I'd mention Albright, who was once touted as an offensive player but now gets a callup as a defender and he'll likely be on the USMNT at that position, which is in flux especially with an offensive minded player like Convey playing left back. This game is merely a friendly but it's a good chance for players who have impressed to see what their mettle is at the international level. Cheers!
Whether they play or not, it's a great honor, especially considering that just a couple of years ago these guys were cut and/or traded for next to nothing by that team down south. Talk about making the most of your second chances. These guys should both be incredibly proud of themselves.
Congratulations to both Ching and Mullan. Now, let me inject a sour note or two. With Donovan and both Brians gone for the Metros match, and quite possibly longer if they impress "The Bruce", our offense must rely on DeRo to shoulder the burden of the attack. Walker, if healthy, up top but what kind of midfield would be feeding them the ball? Ekelund, "Fieldgoal"Corrales, Russell, Alvarez? And what if Walker isn't ready to go? We aren't as deep in the bench as I'd like with all our injuries and missing our three best players for a large portion of the year doesn't sit well with me. And if Ching and Mullan make the trip and don't play and we lose to New York that would suck as well.
not that we need to be missing anymore players, but I really wonder just what Mulrooney has done to stop getting callups? I just looooooove that the Chinger and Mullan are playing. I think Mullan can really find a role as a super-sub. When it gets hot in Central American, 75th minute .... do you think any tired defenders are going to want a piece of Mullan? Toss him in there, let him take his man on one-on-one. He'll create havoc. Man, I hope it works out for him.
Yeah, my thinking went "Awesome for the Brians! ...but what's going to happen to the Quakes?!" USMNT: -------Wolff--Ching --------LD--Mullan -----rest of the team -(future: Mulrooney here) ...or is Mullan the new right-back experiment? (seriously!) As for the Quakes, we still have people who can play - it's just going to be a bit thin on the bench. DeRo will definitely start up top, and I imagine he'll be partnered by Brown (or Walker - if healthy). We will probably also call up Levesque (we can do that - right?). The midfield - thank goodness Bruce isn't taking Mulrooney! - will probably look like this: Corrales--Eke--Mulrooney--Russell and Defense will be: Dunni--'Goos--Cochrane--Hart/Wai