Jake Mulraney M Pats b.1996

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/irish-aaron-lennon-catches-the-eye-at-qpr-30847858.html

QPR's new Irish signing compared to Aaron Lennon.

[tetsujin1979]

Signed on loan for Dagenham and Redbridge on Wednesday: http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/dagenham-and-redbridge-sign-midfielder-2732778.aspx
Came off the bench on Wednesday night in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Stevenage: http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/match-report-stevenage-1-dagenham-and-redbridge-2-2734143.aspx

[tetsujin1979]

Out on loan again for a month to Stevenage: http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/loan-signing-jake-mulraney-joins-from-qpr-2989842.aspx
not in the side today against Portsmouth

[tricky_colour]

The next Jack Grealish perhaps!!

Well he would be were he eligible for England anyway! :p

[tetsujin1979]

first goal of his career against Newport - congralations Jake!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Has signed for Inverness.

[samhaydenjr]

Got his second career goal and his first for Inverness tonight - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42205964

[Olé Olé]

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Iain-Vigurs-would-love-to-see-Caley-Thistles-Jake-Mulraney-get-big-move-to-Hearts-14122017.htm

It was mentioned in the Jack Byrne thread that Hearts are keen. This article states he's been training with them in December. Fair play to him.

[CraftyToePoke]

Joins Hearts on a free from ICT, still only 22, and a good move.

- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44128769

[samhaydenjr]

Has been playing regularly over the last couple of months - played 82 minutes today and hit the woodwork: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46929018

In other Hearts news, 19-year-old Aidan Keena returned from a loan at Dunfermline and played the full game in the defeat to Dundee on Wednesday, but was not in the squad today. Might be worth watching as he has a dozen senior goals under his belt already. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46887214

[liamoo11]

Has been playing regularly over the last couple of months - played 82 minutes today and hit the woodwork: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46929018

In other Hearts news, 19-year-old Aidan Keena returned from a loan at Dunfermline and played the full game in the defeat to Dundee on Wednesday, but was not in the squad today. Might be worth watching as he has a dozen senior goals under his belt already. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46887214

Is he eligible for our 19s this season?

[tetsujin1979]

Is he eligible for our 19s this season?
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship

players born on or after 1 January 2000 eligible to participate
Keena was born on 25th April 1999, so is no longer eligible

[samhaydenjr]

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship

Keena was born on 25th April 1999, so is no longer eligible

Dammit, we'll have to muddle on with Parrott, Obafemi, Connolly, Afolabi, Cassidy, McAuley, Idah and/or Reghba (or whoever hasn't been promoted to U21 or senior level)

[tetsujin1979]

Signed for MLS side Atlanta United in January, but missed their game in the CONCACAF Champions League game last night against Honduras side Motogua because his visa hasn't been confirmed yet.
Not sure if that rules him out of the second leg next week, but it more than likely does.
Hopefully it'll all be sorted before the new MLS season starts at the end of the month

[tetsujin1979]

Seems he will play in the second leg, tonight at 1am if you're interested
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[tetsujin1979]

Named in the starting XI
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[samhaydenjr]

Has played in Atlanta's opening two league games, so doing well so far - Stephen Kenny might just want to keep an eye on his progress there

[Eirambler]

I've seen this guy playing quite a few times, unless he improves or has improved in a massive way he's nowhere near good enough for our senior squad.

[samhaydenjr]

I've seen this guy playing quite a few times, unless he improves or has improved in a massive way he's nowhere near good enough for our senior squad.

OK, I admit I've never seen him play, so I'm curious to find out what was wrong with him? I think somebody (perhaps yourself) mentioned on another thread that he has speed and not a much else. It does appear he has improved, anyway, as his career is moving steadily upwards, from QPR cast-off to SPL regular and, now, playing alongside a number of internationals in front of over 40,000 for MLS' biggest team. It may be difficult to compare his level with a Championship midfielder like Josh Cullen but if he holds his place and does well in the States over the spring and summer, I think he should be in the conversation for the Nations League.

[tetsujin1979]

Mulraney starting for Atlanta against Cincinnati on sky sports right now.
Jon Gallagher on the bench
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[tetsujin1979]

Sent off - two yellows in the first 25 minutes.

[Eirambler]

Sounds about right. He will need to massively improve on his previous form to make it in the MLS.

[tetsujin1979]

Mulraney and Jon Gallagher were named as substitutes for Atlanta's game against Inter Miami last night, but the game was postponed before kick off in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://www.atlutd.com/post/2020/08/26/atlanta-united-match-inter-miami-cf-postponed-wednesday-night

[tetsujin1979]

Late equaliser for Mulraney last night
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[backstothewall]

I was saying in the Finland game thread that i think it's time to have a look at him. Horgan offered very little but if he can get a call up at Wycombe surely the MLS is an equivalent level.

[Razors left peg]

I was saying in the Finland game thread that i think it's time to have a look at him. Horgan offered very little but if he can get a call up at Wycombe surely the MLS is an equivalent level.

Im not so sure. Ive been in the States for 7 years now and been to a few MLS games but I just cant get into it. The general standard is genuinely awful. I got excited about the recent season where they played it in a bubble over a month, there was not much other sport on so I watched 1st few nights but I gave up after that, it was just brutal.

[irishfan86]

There is a big range in quality in MLS. Some very tidy footballers, some teams that play good technical football. Also some atrocious defending at times.

But I would suggest from a fan engagement perspective Razor, a big part of what takes away from my enjoyment is the poor TV production values. The commentary at times is unbearable, and in some MLS markets the in-game directing really hurts enjoyment of the game (zooming in at the wrong time, etc...people who clearly don't know the game).

Essentially, unless it's a national broadcast, you've got guys that are in many cases not "soccer first" broadcasters -- they're guys that couldn't make it in baseball, basketball or American football.

We are lucky that in Vancouver we've got a guy who knows his stuff and is "soccer first." TSN also has good production values relative to many U.S. markets.

All that said, given our lack of scoring options -- I'd say there's really no harm in calling Mulraney up and at least having a look at him train with the others. To make a truer comparison, we have called up Jack Byrne. IMO there is no question the MLS is a superior standard to the LoI given the money involved.

[Trequartista20]

Sweden, Scotland, Slovakia and so on seem to have no problem in picking players from MLS and it doesn't appear to harm them greatly.

Gallagher looks to be ahead of Mulraney to me given his greater versatility and the fact that he's playing more regularly. If he continues to do well there's no reason not to pick him ahead of the likes of Horgan.

[elatedscum]

Mulraney will want to have improved a lot over the past 2 years to be anywhere near to good enough. He was a weak link for the 21s in the last campaign, the likes of Farrugia, Elbouzedi and Shodipo – all much better...

Gallagher is a different story. Think he'd probably be worth a try in the medium term, I'd probably like to see Byrne play a game or two first to gauge if he can offer something, Gallagher and Ronan would be next on my list for fringy creative midfielders after Byrne...

[Razors left peg]

There is a big range in quality in MLS. Some very tidy footballers, some teams that play good technical football. Also some atrocious defending at times.

But I would suggest from a fan engagement perspective Razor, a big part of what takes away from my enjoyment is the poor TV production values. The commentary at times is unbearable, and in some MLS markets the in-game directing really hurts enjoyment of the game (zooming in at the wrong time, etc...people who clearly don't know the game).

Essentially, unless it's a national broadcast, you've got guys that are in many cases not "soccer first" broadcasters -- they're guys that couldn't make it in baseball, basketball or American football.

We are lucky that in Vancouver we've got a guy who knows his stuff and is "soccer first." TSN also has good production values relative to many U.S. markets.

All that said, given our lack of scoring options -- I'd say there's really no harm in calling Mulraney up and at least having a look at him train with the others. To make a truer comparison, we have called up Jack Byrne. IMO there is no question the MLS is a superior standard to the LoI given the money involved.

You make some good points, I would say that going to a game is really good fun. They really go out of their way to add an entertainment factor to it whether it be fireworks or even down to the amount of food and drink options available. Its very family friendly and is a good evening out. Ive only been to LA Galaxy games so there is obviously a bit of a "Hollywood" factor added. LA FC have tried to get fans more interactive and their fans actually create a brilliant atmosphere which also looks great on tv. I had family visiting last year and we watched LA derby on TV and they were blown away by the "entertainment" added factor. They are all very involved in the LOI and thought there was a lot the LOI could learn from the MLS with getting fans in stadiums.

All that being said, the last game I was at was one of Zlatans last games and it was awful stuff on the pitch. From midfielders not being able to pass, terrible to no off the ball movement to poor defending and in general a real lack of any quality. There was some stuff I seen that I wouldnt expect from Leinster Senior League players. You're right that there is a such a wide range of standard across the league but I really dont see any improvement in it in the last 10 years. I dont see many young US kids coming through it and going on to be top players. Like us their top talent still goes abroad.

[tetsujin1979]

Played in the second leg of Atlanta's CONCACAF Champions League quarter final game against Club America last night: https://www.atlutd.com/post/2020/12/16/atlanta-united-defeats-club-am-rica-1-0-falls-short-aggregate
Atlanta won 1-0, with Conway who came on for Mulraney scoring late on, but lost 3-1 on aggregate

[tetsujin1979]

First game of 2021 for Atlanta tonight in the CONCACAF Champions League, playing Alajuelense of Costa Rica, with Mulraney starting up front
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[DeLorean]

First game of 2021 for Atlanta tonight in the CONCACAF Champions League, playing Alajuelense of Costa Rica, with Mulraney starting up front

Was subbed off right on half time, presumably tactical as they had a man sent off a couple of minutes earlier. Still managed to go on and win the game 1-0.

[tetsujin1979]

Was subbed off right on half time, presumably tactical as they had a man sent off a couple of minutes earlier. Still managed to go on and win the game 1-0.

yeah, Brad Guzan was sent off, and Mulraney was taken off for the sub keeper

[tetsujin1979]

Came on as a late substitute tonight against Charlotte, and scored the winner, albeit with a deflection
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[samhaydenjr]

If we decide that a player's salary is a reasonably good indicator of their value, it brings up an interesting question - a number of people here (myself included) have talked about Zach Elbouzedi as a potential option for the international team on the basis of his performances in the Allvenskan. Estimates of the average salary there seem to come to about the equivalent of US$150000 per year so it would be reasonable to think Elbouzedi earns somewhere in that region. Meanwhile, Mulraney earns about $300K. Based on this, should Mulraney be ahead of Elbouzedi in the pecking order?

[irishfan86]

Given our paucity of attacking options I think it’s worth looking at Mulraney, especially in a friendly. I know we all like to beat Horgan endlessly but really if it’s between someone like him or Mulraney I’d say let’s see what Mulraney has got.

[Eirambler]

Thankfully it's not between Horgan or Mulraney though. I've seen both up close when they played in Scotland - Horgan is the better player of the two by a distance, but that's not saying much. Mulraney is just raw pace and absolutely nothing else ability wise unfortunately.

[Trequartista20]

Leaves Atlanta, 8th in the Eastern Conference, for Orlando City, who are third.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/orlando-city-sc-acquire-jake-mulraney-from-atlanta-united

[tetsujin1979]

Pato being substituted for Jake Mulraney is a sentence I never thought I'd have to write
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[Eirambler]

From replacing Alexandre Pato to signing for St Pat's in the space of 5 months. Looking back through this thread I feel like I've maybe given Mulraney a bit of a hard time but, to be honest, I'd say this is him now finding his level. Fair play to him if he was earning £300k a year with his previous clubs though, must have a good agent!

[Jd2793]

very good signing for pats

[nigel-harps1954]

Sure MLS is a fairly crap standard too so he's not exactly jumping off a cliff in terms of playing standard. He'll still probably get a couple of grand a week and a move closer to family and friends, as well as a chance to play in Europe in the summer.
At 26 he's not exactly over the hill either so a good year could see him get a good move back to England or Scotland if he wants it.

[DCWA]

MLS to LOI is a massive drop off in absolutely every way including standard of football.

Should be an excellent signing for Pat’s and disappointed Derry missed out there as talk was we were close (ish anyway).

[mark12345]

Sure MLS is a fairly crap standard too so he's not exactly jumping off a cliff in terms of playing standard. He'll still probably get a couple of grand a week and a move closer to family and friends, as well as a chance to play in Europe in the summer.
At 26 he's not exactly over the hill either so a good year could see him get a good move back to England or Scotland if he wants it.

MLS is so bad that I can't think of even one LOI player who made it in the League. Actually in fairness Paul Keegan did have a good spell 25 years back.

[D24Saint]

MLS to LOI is a massive drop off in absolutely every way including standard of football.

Should be an excellent signing for Pat’s and disappointed Derry missed out there as talk was we were close (ish anyway).

Personal reasons can be the only logical reason for the move home. It’s a massive drop in terms of facilities and standard of play. He will gone from playing in front of 40k plus in a billion dollar stadium in Atlanta to the LOI in a short period of time.

[Razors left peg]

Sure MLS is a fairly crap standard too so he's not exactly jumping off a cliff in terms of playing standard. He'll still probably get a couple of grand a week and a move closer to family and friends, as well as a chance to play in Europe in the summer.
At 26 he's not exactly over the hill either so a good year could see him get a good move back to England or Scotland if he wants it.

Argentina had an MLS player in their World Cup winning squad. I wouldnt mind seeing a few of our players play in MLS rather than lower leagues in England. Its a league that is improving massively

[nigel-harps1954]

MLS is so bad that I can't think of even one LOI player who made it in the League. Actually in fairness Paul Keegan did have a good spell 25 years back.

There's several players done well in both leagues. Richie Baker and Kevin Doyle, for instance both had good spells in MLS having come through LOI. Ryan Guy, American lad who spent a few years in LOI also played a good few years in MLS as did ex-Longford player Avery John.

I'm not doubting there's a drop in standard. What I said was it wasn't dropping off a cliff. MLS is between Championship and League One standard and LOI isn't much below that.

Standard of facilities is a drop off, that's a given, but that's nothing to do with playing standard again, which I was fairly specific in saying.

[Jd2793]

There's several players done well in both leagues. Richie Baker and Kevin Doyle, for instance both had good spells in MLS having come through LOI. Ryan Guy, American lad who spent a few years in LOI also played a good few years in MLS as did ex-Longford player Avery John.

I'm not doubting there's a drop in standard. What I said was it wasn't dropping off a cliff. MLS is between Championship and League One standard and LOI isn't much below that.

Standard of facilities is a drop off, that's a given, but that's nothing to do with playing standard again, which I was fairly specific in saying.



mls has come on massively over the last 5 years i would say. USL 1 + 2 are more comparable to LOI than MLS, even at that some usl1 clubs are a lot better than what we have here. The yanks have done a serious job of improving the quality of the league over there. If MLS is between champ + l1 we are some way off that here im afraid!

[Razors left peg]

There's several players done well in both leagues. Richie Baker and Kevin Doyle, for instance both had good spells in MLS having come through LOI. Ryan Guy, American lad who spent a few years in LOI also played a good few years in MLS as did ex-Longford player Avery John.

I'm not doubting there's a drop in standard. What I said was it wasn't dropping off a cliff. MLS is between Championship and League One standard and LOI isn't much below that.

Standard of facilities is a drop off, that's a given, but that's nothing to do with playing standard again, which I was fairly specific in saying.

The top players in LOI are L1 standard for the most part as seen by the likes of the exodus that went over last summer. Some have done well others not so much, but after that the rest of the LOI are below League 2 I think. There will be exceptions like Abankwah and some of the other younger players in the LOI at the moment, but the overall standard of the LOI is below what it should be.