After scoring a goal during a preseason friendly, Atlanta United’s Jake Mulraney said his personal goal for the MLS season was to score more goals and have more assists.
Mulraney is off to a good start.
In his first appearance this season, Mulraney came on as a sub and scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Charlotte on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The deciding tally was scored in the 96th minute to keep the Five Stripes unbeaten in two games at home.
“To be honest, it’s not a role I want, you know?” Mulraney said. “I don’t want to be always coming off the bench. I want to be playing. I want to be starting, and I want to be giving the managers headaches, and I want to be putting my name out there so I can start, you know? But I have to earn that. I have to do the things I did today, and I have to do even more, you know? I can’t just do it now and be quiet for a few games. I have to keep doing it and giving the managers headaches.”
It was the third goal scored by Mulraney since joining the club before the 2020 season. He also has four assists in 41 appearances.
Though he may not like the role, Mulraney is a threat late in the games, particularly when he uses his quickness against tired defenses.
That’s partly why he scored the winner against Charlotte.
“I don't want to be always coming off the bench. I want to be playing. I want to be starting, and I want to be giving the managers headaches, and I want to be putting my name out there so I can start, you know? But I have to earn that."
The sequence started with Marcelino Moreno receiving the ball on the left, 10-15 yards from midfield. Moreno spun and hit a right-footed cross across the field into space down the right. The ball just flew over the head of a Charlotte defender. Mulraney outraced the defender and controlled the ball. The defender tried to play Mulraney to go right. Mulraney faked, cut back to his left and hit a left-footed shot. The ball, originally headed toward the far post, bounced off a Charlotte defender’s back and settled into the near corner.
It was his first game-winning goal as an Atlanta United player.
“Like I said I’m trying to get goals, help with assists, and help the team any way I can,” he said. “Whether that’s on the bench or starting, I just wanna help the team.”
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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule
Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1
March 5 Colorado 3, Atlanta United 0
March 13 Atlanta United 2, Charlotte 1
March 19 vs. Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 2 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 10 at Charlotte, 1:30 p.m., ABC, ESPN Deportes
April 16 vs. Cincinnati, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 24 at Miami, 1 p.m., ESPN
April 30 at Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 7 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 15 vs. New England, 2 p.m., ESPN
May 21 at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. FOX
May 28 vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 19 vs. Miami, 4 p.m., ESPN2
June 25 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 30 at New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 3 at NYCFC, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 9 vs. Austin, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 13 vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 17 vs. Orlando, 3 p.m., ABC
July 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 9:30 p.m., FS1
July 30 at Chicago, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 6 vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., ABC
Aug. 13 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 21 at Columbus, 6 p.m., FS1
Aug. 28 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., UNIV
Aug. 31 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Portland, 5:30 p.m., FOX
Sept. 10 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 14 at Orlando, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 17 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 1 at New England, 1 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 9 vs. NYCFC, TBD, BSSO/BSSE
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