Mullins Scores Against Ex-Teammates
- Updated: March 16, 2015
Photo credit: Kristian Cardillo/Prost Amerika
NEW YORK – Patrick Mullins will always look back fondly at his first – and only – season in New England. But on Sunday, his sole focus was on the present.
Forty-four seconds after he came on for Adam Nemec in the 84th minute, the second-year striker found the back of the net on a David Villa cross to put the finishing touch on a 2-0 New York City FC victory.
“The Revolution was a great organization to me,” Mullins told the media after the match. “But tonight was about one thing, and that was NYC FC.”
Mullins, who was taken by New York City during the expansion draft, has never doubted himself out on the pitch. Last year, he became the first rookie in 11 years to score in four straight games, and assisted on Chris Tierney’s late goal in the 2014 MLS Cup final. Like many a striker, he’s firm in the belief that he’s capable of finding the back of the net in every match he plays.
But he admitted that there was something different about his approach going into Sunday’s match. Whether it was the prospect of playing his former teammates, or the fact that New York City was playing its very first home match, Mullins sensed that something special would unfold.
“I just had a feeling tonight that a chance would fall my way,” Mullins said. “I just wanted to make sure I was ready to take it. When you have David out there, he’s going to find you. You just have to make sure that you put it in.”
After putting Villa’s cross inside the far post, the two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner, he soaked up the support from the home crowd behind the net, and kissed the NYC FC badge on his jersey. But he was quick to point out that he didn’t intend it to be a sign of disrespect to his former club.
“I think I showed in the goal that I couldn’t be happier to be here, and proud to represent the organization,” Mullins said. “I kissed the badge because I say ‘It tastes so good.’ I’m so happy to be here, and I’m just incredibly excited.”
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