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Aggression by the numbers
As Brian Mullan awaits his fate from a league disciplinary committee, which is expected to come on Tuesday, The Tuesday List takes a look at aggression.
Since his tackle broke Steve Zakuani’s leg on Friday night, discussion has centered around how Mullan has played the game. In the outpouring of sympathy for Zakuani, there has also been a spate of comment about Mullan’s aggressive play. Fans have suggested that Mullan’s suspension, which will be a minimum one game for this 3rd minute red card, should be equal to Zakuani’s recovery time. The Seattle player has no timetable for his return.
Here’s what the numbers over his career and in the league show on Mullan and fouls.
49 — players ejected from MLS games in 2010.
0 — ejections for Mullan in 2010.
3 — red cards Davy Arnaud saw, the most ejections by any MLS player in 2010.
4 — times Mullan has been shown a red card in his career, the same as Arnaud.
6 — career ejections for Danny O’Rourke, who was second in the MLS with two red cards in 2010.
296 - games Mullan has played in the MLS.
235 — games Arnaud has played in the MLS.
146 — games O’Rourke has played in the MLS.
74:1 — ratio of ejections to games played for Mullan.
59:1 — ratio of ejections to games played for Arnaud.
24:1 — ratio of ejections to games played for O’Rourke.
52 — fouls committed by Conor Casey in 2010, the most in the league.
29 — fouls committed by Mullan in 2010, the same as the number of fouls he suffered.
438 — fouls committed by Mullan in his career.
498 — fouls suffered by Mullan in his career.
Ultimately, what does this sampling of numbers say about Mullan? Not much. He has fewer career ejections than other players. He gets ejected less frequently than those with tough reputations. He gets fouled slightly more than he fouls.
What will all of this mean when the disciplinary committee meets? We’ll know soon enough.
I can only imagine Muller feels absolutely horrible about his tackle that broke Steve’s leg. From one player to the next, that is not something you wish on anybody. Sure, his foul records are decent and whatnot, but still. ouch
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