Mueller evolves into Lions’ game-changer
Super sub drawing national attention for inspired play
SANDY, Utah — Obviously, Orlando City forward Chris Mueller wants to start matches.
His fans want him in games, too. Against the Colorado Rapids, a match Mueller didn’t start, the home crowd chanted, “We want Mueller!” when the Lions were down 3-2. Mueller came on in the 80th minute and leveled the match a minute later.
Mueller, who has gained national recognition for his play, said he’s focused on improving and getting better, not when he gets to step Orlando City forward Chris Mueller, right, has developed into an elite spark for the Lions.
on the pitch.
“I just try and go about my business every day the same way that I do,” Mueller said. “I try and take away lessons, as well, from last year. There was kind of a similar situation, but I’m really focused in a different kind of way. I want to make sure I’m taking things day by day, not getting too ahead of myself. Making sure that these times, we’re keeping our feet on the ground and [continuing] to
look at the road ahead.
“There’s still a long way to go. There’s still a lot of games to play and we’re just focused on the next one.”
Last season, his first as a professional after four seasons at Wisconsin, Mueller scored a goal in three consecutive matches early on but didn’t score a goal over his final 24 appearances of 2018. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
“A lot of work went into my offseason, but I think that a lot has to do with you’re kind of in an environment where you’re used to [things] now, right? Not too many things are new. Obviously, we had a lot of new players, but the environment is the same. You kind of get a little more comfortable with your surroundings.
“I think that as I get to know Orlando better and the city, the trainings and everything, it’s just more comfortable. I feel more comfortable. I feel more confident.”
Orlando City coach James O’Connor said Mueller has received a lot of attention for his impact off the bench but pointed to other instances where players have come off the bench to turn games around.
“People want label Chris as a ‘super sub,’ but we’ve had other players who’ve come off the bench and really impacted the game as well,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor has frequently praised Mueller’s willingness to accept coaching.
“Chris is someone that, again, the big thing for me is — like I said to Chris — whether he starts or whether he comes on, his ability to make an impact on the game is really important,” O’Connor said. “I think his understanding of space and how to penetrate those areas, his understanding of transition, about keeping the ball is definitely improving and definitely getting better.”
He added the coaching staff is avoiding the “emotional aspect” of labeling one particular player a “super sub.” From the start of the season, O’Connor has said he doesn’t want there to be a drop-off in quality when subs take the pitch.
“He’s shown great maturity to be able to able to accept the decisions that we’ve made,” O’Connor said about Mueller. “Again, for him, I think it’s more development and more understanding of the things that we’ve been speaking about that become a priority, not necessarily whether he starts or comes off the bench because every player wants to start every game and play every minute of every season.
“It’s trying to create a little bit of maturity as regards to what’s the end goal. What are we trying to create? And sort of staying focused on the attributes that we need not just from Chris, but from all the players.”