Luke Mulholland

Luke Mulholland (born 7 August 1988) is a former English footballer and current scout for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.

Luke Mulholland
Mulholland lining up onto the field against DC United with Real Salt Lake in 2014.
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-08-07) 7 August 1988
Place of birth Preston, England
Position(s) Attacking Midfielder
Youth career
2006–2007 Lancaster City
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Wingate Bulldogs 73 (37)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Reading United 30 (8)
2011 Wilmington Hammerheads 23 (9)
2011 NSC Minnesota Stars 7 (2)
2012–2013 Tampa Bay Rowdies 53 (15)
2014–2020 Real Salt Lake 123 (16)
2016–2020 Real Monarchs 15 (1)
Total 251 (51)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 October 2020

Career

College and amateur

Mulholland began his career with English non-league side Lancaster City. He was thrown into the team as a youngster due to the club's financial difficulties but starred during a difficult period for the club. Mulholland played his college career at Wingate University from 2007 to 2010.[1] In 2009 Mulholland was named First Team All-American and SAC Conference Player of the Year.[2] Mulholland was assisted by teammates Jamie McKenna and Stephen Kehoe to develop his skills.

During his college career, Mulholland also played with USL Premier Development League club Reading United during their 2009 and 2010 seasons.[3]

During Luke Mulholland's college career, he also coached the U16 club team of North Carolina based Waxhaw United SC.[4]

Professional

Mulholland signed his first professional contract in April 2011, joining third division USL Pro club Wilmington Hammerheads.[5] He made his professional debut – and scored his first professional goal – on 17 April 2011 in Wilmington's first game of the 2011 season, a 1–0 win over the Rochester Rhinos.[6] Mulholland's standout first season earned him recognition as the USL Pro Rookie of the Year and he was also named to the league's 2011 Best XI squad.[7]

After the close of the 2011 USL Pro season, Mulholland became a late-season addition to the NSC Minnesota Stars of the second division North American Soccer League on 6 September 2011. His form and goals helped the team to win the NASL Championship. Mulholland scored the game winner in the 53rd minute of the first leg the final against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and he was named Finals MVP.[8]

On 24 January 2012, the second division Tampa Bay Rowdies announced the signing of Mulholland.[9] The year was another one of great success for him, being named to the NASL's Best XI in 2012. Mulholland scored the game-winning goal versus the Carolina Railhawks in the NASL Semi-finals, which sent the Rowdies into the NASL Finals against his former club, the Minnesota Stars. The Rowdies went on to win the 2012 championship on penalties, 3–2, with Mulholland converting the first attempt of the shoot-out. In two years at Tampa Bay, Mulholland registered 17 goals and 13 assists in 51 league appearances and became the first player to be named to the NASL's Best XI in back-to-back seasons.[10]

Luke Mulholland last played for first division MLS side, Real Salt Lake. In his first season of MLS he appeared in 31 matches for RSL, starting 24 of them. He scored 6 goals and added 7 assists. He also started both of RSL playoff matches.[11]

On 16 February 2021, Mulholland announced his retirement from professional soccer.[12]

Personal

Mulholland was born and raised in Preston, England. In December 2014, he received a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[13]

Honors

NASL Championships: (2)

Individual

References
  1. "The Official Website of Wingate University Athletics". www.wingatebulldogs.com.
  2. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  3. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  4. "Luke Mulholland's Whirlwind Year – IMS Soccer News". www.insidemnsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  5. "Hammerheads announce addition of three more players | Hammerheads". Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  6. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  7. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  8. "NSC Minnesota Stars Add Two Attacking Players to Help in Playoff Push – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News". oursportscentral.com. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  9. "Rowdies Home | rowdiessoccer.com". rowdiessoccer.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  10. "Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Luke Mulholland | Real Salt Lake". realsaltlake.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  11. "Luke Mulholland Profile". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  12. Sigal, Jonathan (16 February 2021). "Luke Mulholland retires, becomes scout for Real Salt Lake". MLS Official Website. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  13. "The Commish opens up, RSL shutout of Best XI, Mulholland gets green card".
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