On March 2, 2025, in a final stretch against the Chicago Fire, Jacob Murrell delivered a stunning bicycle kick that captured widespread attention. The 6-foot-3 forward, who attended McDonogh and played at Georgetown, flipped his body backward to connect perfectly with a cross, sending the ball arching over the goalkeeper and into the net in stoppage time. This spectacular goal salvaged a 2-2 draw and became an early highlight in his professional career.
Reflecting on that moment, Murrell said,
“It’ll probably be the best goal I ever score in my life,”
and added,
“If I can top it at some point, that would be incredible. But with the circumstances of the last kick of the game, bicycle kick into the far corner … it’s going to be hard to beat.”
From Viral Sensation to Season Opener Focus
Nearly a year after the viral goal, video clips continue to circulate widely on social media platforms, consistently appearing in searches under Murrell’s name. Approaching his third season in Major League Soccer, Murrell, now 21 and from Forest Hill, aims to redefine his narrative beyond that single moment. The 2026 season began on February 21 with an opening game against the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field, followed by a notable match in Baltimore when D.C. United faces Inter Miami at M&T Bank Stadium on March 7.
Murrell described his mindset this season, saying,
“I’ve done a good job getting my feet wet the first two years,”
and expressed ambition:
“But I still think I have room to break on the scene. I don’t want to just be this role player who does whatever the team needs. I want to have a breakout season and help the team more than just filling a role here and there.”
Early Career Challenges and Growth Behind Elite Striker
Starting his rookie 2024 season, Murrell joined a young D.C. United squad balanced by experienced professionals, including star striker Christian Benteke. Known for nearly 100 Premier League goals, Benteke was the clear first-choice forward. Initially, Murrell’s game time was limited, totaling just 92 minutes across five appearances in his first two months.
Head coach Troy Lesesne’s decision to start Murrell alongside Benteke on April 27, 2024, marked a turning point. Murrell played 75 minutes against Seattle Sounders and, a week later against Philadelphia Union, scored his first professional goal with a precise long-range shot. By season’s end, Murrell had appeared 27 times, starting six matches and providing three assists.
His former McDonogh coach Brandon Quaranta highlighted the importance of Murrell’s development in the shadow of a prolific striker. Quaranta said,
“He’s had a great start with great goals, consistently playing,”
and noted,
“He’s been behind a tremendous striker, leading scorer. Being a young forward behind Christian is tough, but every time he’s taken his chance.”
Frustrations and Burnout After a Tough Season Finale
The 2024 season closed with D.C. United still chasing a playoff spot, their first since 2019. Facing Charlotte FC in the final game, the team suffered a 3-0 defeat, and Murrell was disappointed not to be called on to contribute. Returning home, he converted his frustration into intense offseason training, neglecting rest and recovery.
Murrell admitted,
“After that game, I had so much anger. I was just so frustrated, upset that I didn’t get an opportunity to go in and try and help the team. It was supposed to be a great moment for the club,”
adding,
“Going into that offseason, I took that anger with me, which can sometimes be a good thing, but I think it was immature of me to not take time off in the offseason leading into my second year.”
This approach led to mental and physical exhaustion during the 2025 campaign, even though his playing statistics remained steady—24 appearances with seven starts totaling 865 minutes. Murrell acknowledged the toll, stating,
“Burnout is a real thing, and I think that’s something I faced a lot last year,”
and explained,
“It was just because I didn’t take the proper time in the offseason to get away from soccer for a few weeks before getting back into my hard training. And so that lack of time away, I think, affected me.”
New Offseason Approach Improves Preparedness and Mindset
Determined to avoid a repeat of prior mistakes, Murrell embraced a more balanced offseason after D.C. United ended the 2025 season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 5-11-18 record. He took a full two weeks off, spending time with friends on a road trip, and attending an Alabama-LSU football game—activities unrelated to soccer.
When training resumed, Murrell divided his time between Baltimore and Florida, working with former U.S. internationals Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea during an offseason camp with MLS and NWSL players. He reflected on the value of training in a competitive group setting:
“This was my first offseason doing stuff with them. They had a good group of MLS and NWSL players in for a little offseason camp right before preseason, which was at a good level,”
and added,
“The intensity is just a lot better than doing individual work or small group work on my own.”
Alongside team training improvements, Murrell prioritized his physical fitness and nutrition more seriously. He explained,
“I’ve done a lot more this offseason in the weight room and just from a fitness perspective of running,”
and revealed a shift in his eating habits:
“Another big change I’ve made since then is my diet and just the things I’m putting in my body.”
When asked about his eating during college and early professional play, Murrell said,
“I kind of would just eat whatever,”
acknowledging,
“Didn’t really pay too much attention to it. Now my diet’s a lot better. It’s not like I was eating cake every day, but I wasn’t conscious. Now, I’m trying to keep all my meals to whole foods and get with the trainers on supplements and protein powders. Whatever I’m putting in my body is thought through now, not just, ‘I’m hungry, I’ll eat this.’”
Adapting to Professional Demands After a Stellar Amateur Career
Murrell entered the professional arena following a highly decorated amateur career. At Georgetown, he scored 18 goals over two seasons and had the option to return for his junior year but chose to pursue MLS opportunities. During his high school tenure at McDonogh, under coach Quaranta, he earned the 2021-22 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award and tallied 83 goals in his last two seasons.
Despite this success, Murrell acknowledged how demanding professional soccer can be mentally. He candidly shared,
“It can really throw off your mental and your confidence,”
continuing,
“I think I’m a lot more equipped now to deal with those things and stay level-headed and not let it affect me as much. Everyone’s going to have bad days. Success isn’t linear, as any athlete knows.”
Coach Quaranta stays connected with Murrell, offering support both on and off the field. He commented on Murrell’s growth, saying,
“You don’t know until you know,”
and observed,
“At the pro level, my guess is you have to know how to manage your days and weeks — long road trips, multi-level competitions with games mid-week. You need to rely on the guys ahead of you. … And now he’s in his third year, he knows more than he did at the beginning. Before you know it, he will be a veteran.”
Mental Strategies to Combat Burnout and Build Confidence
To maintain focus and mental resilience, Murrell has incorporated new habits into his routine. He journals twice daily to set goals and reflect, practices visualization the night before and on his way to matches by imagining himself scoring and contributing. Additionally, he has started experimenting with meditation to manage stress.
His guiding mantra has become what he calls
“having the mind of a goldfish.”
Murrell explained,
“Just forget about things that have happened in the past,”
and emphasized,
“It doesn’t matter. Miss a chance, score a great goal, whatever it is — I’m so much better when I’m confident. A lot of that confidence comes from the work I’ve done in the offseason.”
Though the bicycle kick remains a cherished memory, Murrell is focused on moving beyond that defining moment. He stated,
“It happened a year ago now,”
adding,
“It’s a great memory, but I’m trying to move past it and find new things that define me.”
