For all the bad stuff that happened this year, and make no mistake, there was a lot of bad stuff, there was at least one fantastic storyline. Brian Mullan experienced a complete career re-imagining, and it was in the best way. Before the season, had you told me that the one player who would take to Oscar Pareja's system better than any other player would be Mullan, I would probably have assumed you were as drunk as I was. (And make no mistake, I was plastered.)
Well, way to prove us wrong, Brian. He still provided the usual solid ball winning in the midfield that he always did, but playing as one of the outside strikers he also turned into a legitimate attacking threat. It's hard to argue with two goals and seven assists, especially from a guy who was before known for being a brute more than a playmaker. He had a legitimate case of being team MVP before getting injured for a long stretch near the end of the year, not too shabby.
If you ask me, it's this Brian Mullan who is more likely to take a sixth MLS Cup in his career than the bulldog he used to be. If you want a success story from the dismal 2012 campaign, focus your eyes on No. 11. Now, can he keep it up next season?
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Matt Pollard 