Mullins Will Miss NE, But Happy to Join NYC

By Brian O'Connell
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Updated: January 25, 2015

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Even after his name was left off the Revolution’s protected list for the expansion draft, Patrick Mullins fully expected to spend another season in New England. But he also knew that one phone call could change that.

Less than 72 hours after setting up Chris Tierney’s game-tying strike in the MLS Cup final, the 23-year-old striker realized he wouldn’t be renewing the lease on his Boston-area apartment after New York City FC selected him in the first round of the expansion draft.

“It was very bittersweet, because I definitely built a home and an environment around me in Boston,” Mullins said. “The New England area, and the community, really embraced me and made a southern guy feel really at home in the northeast.”

Looking back, it would’ve been nearly impossible for the Revolution faithful to root against the rookie forward. The two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner was coming off an 18-goal campaign while at Maryland, but he curiously slipped in the SuperDraft to pick 11, where Michael Burns and Jay Heaps jumped on the chance to select him.

Mullins quickly assumed the role of the confident underdog, and made himself one of the most approachable members of the team at supporter events. While his debut in Houston wasn’t his finest moment, he returned to the lineup in May, and quickly asserted himself as a valuable piece of the Revolution arsenal when he scored in four straight games.

Although Charlie Davies eventually supplanted the former Terrapin up top, Mullins, who tallied five goals and two assists across all competitions in 2014, continued to put in the work on the training pitch. And to his credit, that attitude parlayed itself more playing time down the stretch – not to mention a championship game cameo.

“I felt really good in those two months leading up to the final in how I was playing,” Mullins said. “So I had a lot of confidence. It might not have translated to the field, but (the assist to Tierney) was a good moment for me to reaffirm where I was at and where I thought I was playing.”

That reaffirmation, though, wasn’t enough to get his name on the protected list, which Mullins fully understood. That was the business. No hard feelings.

So when New York City head coach Jason Kreis called to welcome him to the club, he wasn’t upset or angry. Rather, he was grateful for the opportunity afforded to him during his first – and only – season in the region.

“I loved it up here – everything from the organization to the surrounding community,” Mullins said. “Obviously (switching teams) is tough, but those are things in this profession that you have to deal with in some cases.”

Another thing he’ll have to deal with: detaching himself from the ardent and vocal support he regularly received from the Foxboro Faithful.

“I’ll miss the Fort and all of the great fan sections we had,” Mullins said. “The Revs fans are as loyal fans as you can come by, and they’re very loud and proud.”

While Mullins acknowledges that New England will hold a “special place” in his heart, he views the opportunity in front of him as one in which he can continue to make a name for himself.

“I think the sweet part is that I’m going to a good situation, and a place where I can succeed as a player,” Mullins said. “As much as I’ll miss New England, I still have to focus on my career and moving forward.”