A flood of texts poured into Jacob Murrell’s phone on Dec. 21 as his name appeared on the MLS SuperDraft big board.
Murrell, a standout striker at McDonogh School and Georgetown University, was surrounded by 40 or so family members and friends at his parents’ home in Forest Hill when he was selected No. 7 overall by D.C. United. The 19-year-old joined a storied list of teenagers signed by the Black-and-Red in the last 25 years, including Santino Quaranta, Freddy Adu and Matai Akinmboni.
Reflecting on the moment a few weeks later, Murrell expressed some relief to hear his name called so early. It’s a flash of humility that his coaches say makes him special among elite soccer players they’ve coached.
“It’s a weird thing because as much as you are getting interest from these teams, anything can happen in the draft process,” Murrell said. “I know guys who were great players who probably deserved to get drafted but didn’t. And I know some guys who didn’t think they were going to get drafted but were.”
Among those who sent messages of congratulations was Quaranta, who has known Murrell for years while the youngster played with Baltimore-based Pipeline Soccer Club, the youth soccer program Quaranta has run since he retired from professional soccer in 2011.
A Baltimore native, Quaranta heard his name called by D.C. as the eighth overall pick in 2001 and went on to play 10 years with the club. His text to Murrell said simply: The work starts now.
That sentiment might not have been the first thought for a player like Murrell, who has dominated at every level he’s played. He has proved his abilities in the most competitive high school soccer league in Maryland, the MIAA, and in the upper reaches of Division I soccer. He scored a combined 83 goals in his last two years at McDonogh and was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2021-22. For the Hoyas, he was the team’s leading goal-scorer as a freshman and sophomore and accounted for eight game-winning goals.
But then he had a decision to make.
Murrell, who turns 20 on March 28, could return for his junior season at Georgetown after scoring 18 goals and assisting on eight more in 40 games. The Hoyas finished 13-3-3 last fall but lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A return to campus would mean a chance at a national title.
Or he could don the black and red jersey of the four-time MLS Cup-winning side and prove that he belongs at the next level. Murrell said he struggled with the choice but couldn’t pass up a chance at turning pro, especially for a team a little more than an hour from his home.
“It’s been a dream since I was a little kid, and I think it was a relief on all of our ends, to be honest,” Murrell said. “I’m only 19 years old, so I’m still able to live close to home and when I’m going through learning how to live life as an adult, I’ll be close to home and have that support.”
United announced Jan. 12 it had signed Murrell to a three-year deal through 2026 with an option for 2027. Ally Mackay, D.C. United general manager and chief soccer officer, described Murrell as “a creative player who has an eye for goal” with “all the tools to be successful at the next level.”
While some may have suggested Murrell continue to develop at Georgetown as part of one of the top programs in the country, Quaranta never doubted his former player would make the jump.
“I didn’t think he would go back for one second,” Quaranta said. “He’s hungry for more.”
Murrell’s former coach at McDonogh, Brandon Quaranta, a cousin of Santino’s, isn’t betting against the 19-year-old either. In 20 years of coaching, Murrell is the hardest worker he’s ever seen.
“At every level, he’s progressed. There’s been high expectations on him but he’s exceeded and surpassed them every single time,” the McDonogh coach said. “Being a pro is a different level and it’s really difficult — and there’s a lot of factors that play into it — but with Jacob’s track record, you wouldn’t bet against him.”
Santino Quaranta knows something about meeting and surpassing expectations. He attended Archbishop Curley High School for two years and drew recognition as one of the top players in Maryland. After spending time with the U.S. U-17 national team and at IMG Soccer Academy in Florida, he made the leap to MLS.
Quaranta recalled a significant learning curve when he first joined D.C. in 2001, just four months after he was eligible for a driver’s license. Showing he could compete in practice demonstrated he deserved to be playing against grown men like club legend Jaime Moreno and others, Quaranta said.
“Look, there’s a little bit of a longer leash for the younger guys that show they are different,” Quaranta said. “You’re not expected to act like or be or understand what it’s like to be a 30-year-old guy who’s been in the league 10 years. [The coaches] are just looking for small bits of quality on and off the field.”
Quaranta had little trouble acclimating to MLS. He registered five goals and an assist in 16 games as a rookie. He ultimately played 10 seasons for D.C., finishing with 25 goals in 159 appearances.
It remains to be seen how Murrell fits into new United coach Troy Lesesne’s plans.
The youngster joins a roster that features 11 players 22 or younger, including a fellow MLS SuperDraft pick in goalkeeper Nate Crockford, 21, whom D.C. grabbed in the third round out of Wisconsin. Others include defensive midfielder Matti Peltola, 21, forwards Kristian Fletcher, 18, and Ted Ku-DiPietro, 22, and Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Pirani, 21.
The squad also boasts former English Premier League regulars Christian Benteke and Mateusz Klich and longtime United veterans Russell Canouse and Steve Birnbaum.
“There are guys who have done it at the highest level for a long time who are going to be able to guide us,” Murrell said. “And when you look at a combination of young guys who are hungry and going to work hard for the club, and a group of guys who are experienced who are going to lead the way, it’s an exciting time for the club.”
D.C. United left for preseason training in Saudi Arabia in mid-January. Murrell said those first few weeks were a crash course in being a professional as United prepares for its season opener at Audi Field on Feb. 24.
In the weeks since signing, Murrell has started to learn from one of the top strikers in the league in Benteke, who finished tied for fifth in goals last season. The 33-year-old Belgian scored 86 goals in 280 appearances for Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Aston Villa before coming to America.
“As a young guy, it’s extremely important to show you can compete and win,” Murrell said. “Every passing exercise and possession grid is extremely important for me because my technical ability will translate into quality on the field.”
And while the days of scoring 40 goals and dishing out half as many assists may be behind him, there are still opportunities to show he has the potential to contribute and build trust with his teammates. He will do it in the No. 17 jersey given to him on signing day. The number happens to be what Benteke wore early in his career at Crystal Palace.
As Murrell embarks on his first professional season, he will do everything he can to emulate his new mentor.
Photo Credit: Miguel Angel
Issue 285: February/March 2024
Originally published Feb. 21, 2024