MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Re-Sign Midfielders Ronnie Ekelund and Brian Mullan to New Contracts

Published on February 2, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose (Monday, February 2, 2004) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that midfielders Ronnie Ekelund and Brian Mullan have signed new contracts with Major League Soccer and the Earthquakes. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

"It means a lot to the team to have Ronnie Ekelund back for the 2004 season," Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "It is our goal to have as many players back from our championship team as possible, and we are accomplishing that. Brian Mullan proved last season that he is a quality player in this league and an absolutely key performer for us. I am happy to have Ronnie back and Brian signed to a long-term extension."

Ekelund, 31, will begin his fourth season with the team following a one goal, three assist year in 2003. The Glostrup, Denmark native played in 22 regular season matches and three playoff games in the Quakes run to the MLS Cup. Ekelund scored the first goal of MLS Cup on a direct kick just five minutes into the match. Ekelund also recorded an assist in the 2003 playoffs.

"I am excited to return to San Jose," Ekelund said. "I enjoy playing here and I feel that we once again have a team that will be able to contend for the championship. I am looking forward to the start of the season."

Despite struggling with a right ankle injury in the early part of the 2003 season, Ekelund once again supplied the Quakes with a steadying influence in the center of the field while combining with Richard Mulrooney to form one of the best midfields in MLS.

Mullan, 25, has signed a multi-year contract extension after enjoying the best season of his MLS career in 2003. In his third year in the league and first with San Jose, he was the Quakes second leading scorer, registering career highs in games played (30), minutes (2,723), goals (6), assists (9) and points (21). Mullan was one of only two Quakes players to start and play in every game in 2003. The Creighton University product joined San Jose from the Los Angeles Galaxy on Jan. 17, 2003 and developed into one of the biggest reasons for the Earthquakes success.

"This is one of the best teams I have ever been a part of," Mullan said. "I am really happy to have a long-term agreement to remain in San Jose. This is where I want to play."

Mullan solidified the right midfield position and led San Jose in assists last year. Mullan registered a record-tying two assists in the MLS Cup and scored the Quakes game-tying goal in the Western Conference Championship game.

Check out the San Jose Earthquakes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from February 2, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central