Former Creighton All-American Richard Mulrooney has been named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year as announced by Major League Soccer Tuesday.  The FC Dallas midfielder has returned from a 2005 knee injury to  start in 23 of the 25 matches he’s played in this season, guiding his team to the most wins in the MLS this year.

Mulrooney, 29, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in May 2005, forcing him to miss the remainder of last season.  He returned this year to make his first start nearly one year to the day that his injury occurred.  He currently ranks second on the team with nine assists.  A Rookie of the Year candidate in 1999, he has been an MLS all-star in 2002, 2004 and this season.

The 1998 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and 1998 first-team NSCAA All-American still ranks as the Creighton and MVC all-time leader with 51 career assists.  His 16 assists in both 1996 and 1998 also remain school and conference records.

Mulrooney was selected third overall in the 1999 MLS Draft by the San Jose Clash.  His latest MLS honor again highlights the impressive record established by the Creighton men’s soccer program.  Creighton remains the only school in the nation to have at least one player selected in every MLS Draft ever held, starting in 1996.