James Murphy (soccer, born 1997) explained

James Murphy
Fullname:James Vincent Murphy
Birth Date:17 September 1997
Birth Place:Scotch Plains, New Jersey, United States
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Detroit City
Clubnumber:6
Youthyears1:2005–2016
Youthclubs1:Players Development Academy
Years1:2016–2018
Clubs1:Sheffield Wednesday
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Los Angeles FC
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2018
Clubs3:Las Vegas Lights (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Years4:2019–2020
Clubs4:Arbroath
Caps4:17
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2021
Clubs5:Rio Grande Valley FC
Caps5:36
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Monterey Bay
Caps6:57
Goals6:1
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Detroit City
Caps7:14
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:United States U20
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Pcupdate:June 30, 2024

James Murphy (born September 17, 1997) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Detroit City FC.

Murphy grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, where he was named as the 2013–14 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year.[1]

Club career

United States

Murphy came through the ranks at the Players Development Academy in his home state of New Jersey. He played for the United States under-20 team during the 2015 Stevan Vilotic Tournament and 2015 Four Nations Tournament. Also in 2015, Murphy went on trial with the Philadelphia Union of MLS but ended up not signing with the club.[2]

Sheffield Wednesday

Murphy signed a professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in June 2016.[3]

In August 2016 he made his first team debut for the club, coming on as a substitute as Wednesday lost to Cambridge United in the first round of the Football League Cup.[4]

Los Angeles FC

Murphy joined MLS side Los Angeles FC on March 2, 2018, ahead of their inaugural season.[5] On May 22, 2018, he made his LAFC debut in a friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

Las Vegas Lights FC

Murphy joined USL side Las Vegas Lights FC on June 22, 2018, on a short-term loan. He had his first assist in his debut with the club on June 24, 2018, against Swope Park Rangers.

Arbroath

After a trial spell, Murphy signed with Scottish Championship club Arbroath in July 2019.[6]

Rio Grande Valley FC

In July 2020, returned to the United States, joining USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.[7]

Monterey Bay FC

Murphy signed with USL Championship expansion side Monterey Bay FC on February 8, 2022.[8] Murphy was included in the starting 11 for Monterey Bay's inaugural match, a 4–2 loss to Phoenix Rising FC.[9] Murphy's contract option was declined following the 2023 USL Championship season.[10]

Detroit City FC

Murphy signed a two-year contract with Detroit City on January 25, 2024.[11]

Personal life

Murphy has an older sister, Casey, and two younger brothers, John and Owen. Both brothers also play soccer, with John Murphy being a player for Forward Madison FC, and Owen being of the Montclair University soccer team.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoals
Sheffield Wednesday2016–17Championship0000100010
2017–18Championship0000000000
Total0000100010
Los Angeles FC2018Major League Soccer0000000000
Las Vegas Lights FC (loan)2018USL Championship7000000070
Arbroath2019–20Scottish Championship17012222[12] 0220
Rio Grande Valley2020USL Championship11015150000115
2021USL Championship25005000002550
Total3600010003657
Monterey Bay FC2022USL Championship140110000151
Career total74020302081112

Notes and References

  1. Bernstein, Jason. "James Murphy of Scotch Plains is named Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year", The Star-Ledger, February 13, 2014. Accessed August 10, 2016. "On the soccer field Scotch Plains' James Murphy has the ability to anticipate just about anything that comes his ways. Despite an already lengthy list awards, he did not expect to be named the 2013–14 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year."
  2. Web site: 2015 Stevan Vilotic Tournament . www.ussoccer.com .
  3. Web site: U.S. U-20 midfielder James Murphy joins Sheffield Wednesday . www.sbisoccer.com . July 14, 2016.
  4. Web site: Report: Cambridge United 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday . www.bbc.co.uk . August 9, 2016.
  5. Web site: LAFC Announces Inaugural Roster Prior To Start Of MLS Season Los Angeles Football Club . www.lafc.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110608/https://www.lafc.com/post/2018/03/02/lafc-announces-inaugural-roster-prior-start-mls-season . March 3, 2018.
  6. Web site: James Murphy . July 28, 2019 . Arbroath FC.
  7. Web site: RGV Fc Sign Three Players Prior to Usl Championship Kickoff. July 9, 2020.
  8. Web site: MONTEREY BAY F.C. SIGNS FORMER RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC MIDFIELDER JAMES MURPHY . Vargo . Steven . montereybayfc.com . February 8, 2022 . February 8, 2022.
  9. Web site: PHOENIX RISING VS. MONTEREY BAY 4 - 2. soccerway.com. May 22, 2022.
  10. Web site: Monterey Bay Football Club Announces 2024 Roster Decisions . January 19, 2024 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2024 USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER UPDATES . DetCityFC.com . . January 25, 2024.
  12. Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup