HARRISON, N.J. (December 22, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls have signed Red Bulls academy product and Georgetown University forward Alex Muyl as a Homegrown Player, the club announced today. Muyl, considered one of the top underclassmen in the nation, signs with the Red Bulls after his junior season.
Per club and league policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased to add Alex to our club,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis. “We consider him one of the best rising players in college soccer, and we have high expectations for him as he continues to develop in our professional environment.”
Muyl becomes the 13th Homegrown Player in New York franchise history, and the eighth on the current roster. The Red Bulls have more Homegrown Players on its current roster than any other MLS club.
“What’s also very exciting is the fact that every youth player and family in the tri-state area can witness how we are embracing young local talent in a very meaningful way,” added Curtis.
Muyl, a native of New York, N.Y., was Georgetown’s second-leading scorer in 2015, behind only fellow Red Bulls Homegrown signee Brandon Allen, with six goals and a team-best 10 assists for 22 points in 21 games. His 10 assists ranked second in the BIG EAST and eighth in the nation. Muyl also scored the game-winning goal for the Hoyas in double overtime to clinch the BIG EAST championship. The forward was named to the 2015 All-BIG EAST Second Team and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region for his outstanding season.
“I’m really excited,” said Muyl on Tuesday. “This has been a goal of mine my whole life, and to be able to start my career in a place that I know, in a place that I’ve grown up, around people that I’ve grown up with, is an honor. I’m excited to start.”
In three years with Georgetown, Muyl played in 62 games, started 51, and totaled 12 goals and 25 assists, leading the team in assists all three seasons. In his first two years with Georgetown, the forward was named Second Team All-BIG EAST, Preseason All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST All-Academic, a unanimous member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team and earned a spot on TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Preseason Freshman Team.
Prior to college, Muyl played for the Red Bulls Academy. He was Red Bulls U-16s’ team-leading goal scorer and notched the game-winning goal in the 2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) National Championship. Noticed by U.S. Soccer Federation, Muyl was called up and captained the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team during Mondial Minimes in 2011 in Montaigu, France.
In 2013, Muyl helped Red Bulls U-18 claim the USSDA National Championship after finishing as the U-18s’ top scorer with 20 goals. After the championship, he was honored as the top player in the 2013 USSDA finals. Muyl was later named to the U.S. roster for the 2013 U-18 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, and spent time with the U.S. National Team Residency Program. As a freshman, he was called into camp with the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team and was last called up in July 2015 for a College Identification training camp with the U.S. U-23s.
Additional quotes from Alex Muyl
On Red Bulls Homegrown Signings:
I think it’s really a positive step for the organization, because we’ve always had a really talented academy, and I think that once you start seeing those young kids translate into the first team, not only is it good for the first team, because you’re adding talented players, but it’s good for the kids who are in the academy. Now they know that there’s actually a pipeline, that they can actually succeed, they can follow their dreams and can one day be part of the first team.
On fitting in with the First Team:
I know guys like [Matt] Miazga and Santi [Castano]. I’ve been into training a little bit, but I wouldn’t say I know them very well. From what I watched them this season, their game plan, their game style, fits who I am as a player. I think that it’s going to be really exciting to be a part of that. They’re a team that likes to press high, they’re a team that likes to go straight to goal and that’s the kind of stuff I like to do as well. I’m excited to get in there and play my part.
