PDL Feature
Monday, May 5, 2014
Since making his debut for New England on the opening day of the Major League Soccer season, former PDL standout Patrick Mullins had taken a seat on the sidelines.
On Saturday in his return to action, Mullins made a case for much more playing time with the suddenly resurgent Revolution as he recorded his first professional goal to help his side take a 2-1 victory on the road against Toronto FC.
“I think it shows our team mentality here in New England; if one guy gets called upon, you need to take your opportunity and make the most of it,” Mullins told RevolutionSoccer.net’s Jeff Lemieux. “I think that’s what I wanted to do today was just come out, show my stuff, contribute to the team and make sure I took advantage of the opportunity.”
Mullins’ goal pulled the Revolution level with Toronto, and he also played a part in New England’s winner as his shot was handled in the penalty area by the Reds’ Doneil Henry. Lee Nguyen stepped up and converted from the penalty spot as the Revs claimed all three points and jumped into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Mullins wasn’t the only former PDL standout to hit the target on Saturday as his fellow former Mid South Division rival Kekuta Manneh scored the opening goal for the Vancouver Whitecaps in their 3-2 win against the San Jose Earthquakes. The former Austin Aztex All-Conference selection continued to turn heads with his performance, and in particular his ability to strike from outside the penalty area.
“Manneh is simply deadly when he gets into that left channel,” wrote MLSSoccer.com’s Matt Doyle. “There's not a defender in the league who can keep up with his first step, and unlike a lot of the league's other quickest players, he combines that first step with superb close control and a rocket of a shot.”
With Kenny Miller now departed from Vancouver, the opportunity for Manneh to increase his playing time and his influence on what is proving to be a lethal Whitecaps attack, is only likely to grow.