On March 2, 2025, in the closing moments of a thrilling match against the Chicago Fire, Jacob Murrell produced an unforgettable moment for D.C. United. The 6-foot-3 forward, a product of McDonogh and Georgetown, executed a breathtaking bicycle kick, deftly flipping his right leg over his head to volley the ball into the net past the goalkeeper. This spectacular strike in stoppage time secured a 2-2 draw and instantly became a defining highlight early in Murrell’s Major League Soccer career. The phrase “Jacob Murrell bicycle kick” continues to circulate widely on social media, keeping the young player in the spotlight.
Setting Ambitions Beyond a Memorable Goal
Now 21, Murrell is focused on more than just the famous goal from last year as he begins his third MLS season. The forward is determined to step out from the role player category and establish himself as a consistent offensive threat. He will start the new campaign on February 21 against Philadelphia Union at Audi Field and return to his home region when D.C. United faces Inter Miami at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on March 7. A native of Forest Hill, Maryland, Murrell is eager to make a larger impact both on the field and for the local fans.
It’ll probably be the best goal I ever score in my life,
Murrell acknowledged.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
I’ve done a good job getting my feet wet the first two years,
Murrell said.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Finding His Place Among Established Veterans
Murrell entered the professional stage with high hopes after being selected seventh overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, joining a youthful but talented D.C. United squad anchored by experienced veterans. Chief among them was Christian Benteke, a proven striker with nearly 100 Premier League goals, who served as the team’s clear lead forward and mentor. Despite their good relationship, Murrell’s initial playing time was limited; he made five appearances and totaled just 92 minutes in his first two months.
The breakthrough started on April 27, 2024, when coach Troy Lesesne included Murrell in the starting lineup alongside Benteke in a match against Seattle. Murrell played 75 minutes and a week later netted his first professional goal — a precise strike from outside the penalty area versus Philadelphia. By the end of his rookie season, he registered three assists and appeared in 27 games, starting six times. McDonogh coach Brandon Quaranta, who oversaw Murrell’s development in high school, praised the young player’s progress amid the tough competition.
He’s had a great start with great goals, consistently playing,
Quaranta remarked.
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.
— Brandon Quaranta, Former McDonogh Head Coach
The Frustration of a Missed Playoff Opportunity
The 2024 season ended with D.C. United’s playoff hopes still alive but hanging by a thread. In the final game against Charlotte FC, Murrell was eager to contribute to clinching the club’s first postseason berth since 2019. However, after a disheartening 3-0 loss, Murrell was left without playing time, fueling his frustration. Instead of resting during the offseason, he dove headfirst into training, hoping to channel his anger into improvement.
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,
Murrell explained.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Murrell’s refusal to pause and properly recover resulted in struggles both mentally and physically during the 2025 season, even though his statistics remained nearly unchanged – 24 appearances, seven starts, and 865 minutes played. The demanding schedule and his inability to step away created a sense of burnout, which he openly acknowledges.
Burnout is a real thing, and I think that’s something I faced a lot last year,
he admitted.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Changes in Offseason Approach Signal Growth
Determined to avoid repeating previous mistakes, Murrell approached the following offseason differently. After enduring a difficult campaign where D.C. United finished last in the Eastern Conference (with a record of 5 wins, 11 losses, and 18 draws), he took two weeks off from soccer. During this break, he enjoyed a road trip with friends and attended a college football game between Alabama and LSU, deliberately steering clear of soccer-related activities.
He split his training time between Baltimore and Florida, where he participated in an offseason camp featuring former U.S. internationals Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea, alongside other MLS and NWSL players. Murrell valued the intense environment of working with top-level athletes compared to individual workouts.
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,
Murrell shared.
The intensity is just a lot better than doing individual work or small group work on my own.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Aside from team training, Murrell made significant lifestyle adjustments related to fitness and nutrition. He emphasized gains made in the weight room and enhanced his running regimen. Importantly, he revamped his diet, moving away from a careless approach to eating toward a more disciplined and health-conscious plan supported by trainers, supplements, and protein supplements.
I kind of would just eat whatever,
Murrell admitted.
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.’
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Career Foundations and Professional Challenges
Before turning pro, Murrell was a proven scorer and award winner at every level. At Georgetown University, he compiled 18 goals in two seasons and could have returned for a junior year with a national title chase, but he opted to pursue his MLS career earlier. During his youth career at McDonogh, he earned the title of 2021-22 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year, scoring 83 goals across two high school seasons under Coach Quaranta’s guidance.
Despite these impressive credentials, Murrell openly acknowledges the challenges of adapting to the mental rigors of professional soccer. In MLS, the grind of demanding training, inconsistent performances, and unpredictable moments can unsettle even talented players.
It can really throw off your mental and your confidence,
Murrell said.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
Quaranta remains close with his former player, providing guidance on soccer and life as Murrell continues to mature. The veteran coach also noted how experience will help Murrell transition from a rookie into a reliable team leader.
You don’t know until you know,
Quaranta said.
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.
— Brandon Quaranta, Former McDonogh Head Coach
Mindset Adjustments to Prevent Burnout
In addition to physical improvements, Murrell has integrated mental preparation techniques to guard against the fatigue and stress that wore him down the previous year. He journals twice daily to set goals and reflect on progress, uses visualization exercises before matches to imagine success on the pitch, and has started experimenting with meditation practices. His guiding mindset is summed up in what he calls
“having the mind of a goldfish,”
focusing on the present and quickly letting go of past mistakes or achievements.
Just forget about things that have happened in the past,
Murrell described.
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.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
He consciously distances himself from dwelling on his viral goal, viewing it as a cherished memory but not a defining feature of his career.
It happened a year ago now,
Murrell said.
It’s a great memory, but I’m trying to move past it and find new things that define me.
— Jacob Murrell, Forward
The Road Ahead for a Rising MLS Talent
Jacob Murrell’s journey reflects the ups and downs of young professional athletes working to solidify their place in competitive leagues. His spectacular bicycle kick remains an iconic highlight, but the focus moving forward is on consistent contributions and leadership. With changes in his physical regimen, mental approach, and a renewed ambition to break out of a supporting role, Murrell’s third season offers a pivotal chance to fulfill his promise and help D.C. United end its playoff drought. Fans in Baltimore, at Audi Field, and beyond will be watching closely to see if he can convert moments of brilliance into sustained success.
