Maximiliano Urruti Bio
Maximiliano “Maxi” Nicolás Urruti Mussa (born 22 February 1991) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a striker. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall, Urruti has built a long career across South America and Major League Soccer, where he is well known for his movement inside the penalty area and his knack for scoring in tight matches. He currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, having joined the club as a free agent in January 2025.
Across more than a decade in the professional game, Urruti has represented clubs in Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Mexico’s top flight. He is widely respected for his longevity, his work rate off the ball, and his ability to contribute important goals at key moments of a season.
Early Life and Background
Maximiliano Nicolás Urruti Mussa was born on 22 February 1991 in Rosario, Argentina, a city long associated with world-class football. He grew up in a sporting household as the son of Juan José Urruti, a former professional footballer who earned one cap for the Argentina national team and played in Argentina, Spain, Bolivia, and Chile. His mother is Claudia Mussa, and he also has a sister named Lorena.
From a young age, Urruti was surrounded by the rhythms of South American football, and he joined the youth system at Newell’s Old Boys, one of Rosario’s most storied clubs. He spent six formative years in the Newell’s academy, developing his finishing and his understanding of the striker role before earning promotion to the senior squad in 2011.
Path to Professional Soccer
Urruti’s rise through the Newell’s Old Boys academy reflected the club’s strong tradition of producing sharp, intelligent forwards. He made his professional debut on 14 May 2011, starting in a 3–0 loss to Racing Club in the Argentine Primera División, and scored his first senior goal on 20 October 2011 in a 2–2 draw with Club Olimpo.
During the 2012 Clausura season, Urruti established himself as a regular in the first team, finishing with 6 goals in 19 appearances. He continued his development across the 2012 Torneo Inicial and the 2013 Torneo Final, scoring 5 goals in 14 appearances as Newell’s Old Boys finished top of the table and won the 2013 Torneo Final championship. His performances in the Copa Libertadores that year, including 6 appearances as Newell’s reached the semifinals, marked him out as a forward ready for a new challenge abroad.
Maximiliano Urruti Career
Early Career at Newell’s Old Boys (2011–2013)
Urruti’s senior career began with Newell’s Old Boys in 2011, where he initially featured in a supporting role before becoming a starter the following year. In 2012 he opened the Clausura with a goal against Estudiantes and netted again versus Argentinos Juniors, showing the poacher’s instincts that would define his later career. His most productive stretch came during the 2013 Torneo Final, where he finished as a key contributor to a title-winning campaign.
Toronto FC (2013)
On 16 August 2013, Urruti made the move to North America, signing with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. He debuted the next day in a 2–0 away loss to Columbus Crew, entering as a second-half substitute for Robert Earnshaw. His time in Toronto was brief but gave him his first taste of the MLS game.
Portland Timbers (2013–2015)
Less than a month later, on 9 September 2013, Urruti was traded to Portland Timbers. He quickly became a fan favorite in Portland, scoring his first Timbers goal on 29 September in a 1–0 win over the LA Galaxy. In 2014, he set new personal bests in MLS, finishing the regular season with 10 goals and 2 assists in 30 appearances.
Urruti played a leading role in the Timbers’ playoff run during the 2015 season, scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 118th minute against Sporting Kansas City and converting his penalty in the 7–6 shootout win. He then made further substitute appearances as Portland defeated Columbus Crew 2–1 to win MLS Cup 2015, the first major trophy of his career. Portland declined his contract option following the season.
FC Dallas (2016–2018)
On 11 December 2015, FC Dallas selected Urruti with the first pick of the 2015 MLS Re-Entry Draft. He made an immediate impact, scoring on debut in a 2–0 win over the Philadelphia Union and adding two more goals in his opening four matches. In 2016, he posted 9 goals and 4 assists across 30 regular-season appearances as Dallas won the Supporters’ Shield. He also scored twice in the U.S. Open Cup final on 13 September, helping Dallas beat the New England Revolution 4–2.
In 2017, Urruti was named MLS Player of the Week after a brace against New England and finished the year with 12 goals and 5 assists in 32 appearances. He continued to feature prominently in 2018, recording 8 goals and 11 assists across 33 appearances as Dallas returned to the playoffs. Dallas declined his option, and he was traded to the Montreal Impact on 9 December 2018.
Montreal Impact (2019–2020)
Urruti opened his Montreal chapter with a debut goal contribution, eventually finishing 2019 with 4 goals and 6 assists in 31 regular-season matches. He was a key figure in Montreal’s 2019 Canadian Championship victory, appearing in all six cup matches as the Impact beat Toronto FC in the final. After a disrupted 2020 season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he posted 5 goals and 2 assists across 15 appearances and helped the club reach the playoffs before undergoing knee surgery in November 2020.
Houston Dynamo (2021)
On 18 January 2021, Urruti was traded to the Houston Dynamo. He scored on his debut in a 2–1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes and produced 6 goals in his first 11 appearances of the year. He finished the season with 7 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances, although the Dynamo finished bottom of the Western Conference and missed the playoffs. His contract option was declined at the end of the year.
Austin FC (2022–2023)
On 28 December 2021, Urruti signed with expansion side Austin FC on a two-year deal with a one-year option. He contributed experience and depth to the new franchise over two seasons before the club announced on 17 November 2023 that it would not exercise the 2024 option on his contract.
New England Revolution Era (2025)
On 16 January 2025, Urruti signed with the New England Revolution as a free agent on a one-year contract through the 2025 Major League Soccer season, with a one-year club option for 2026. He made his Revolution debut in the home opener on 1 March 2025, entering as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 1–0 loss to Columbus Crew. On 14 August 2025, New England waived Urruti.
Driving Style and Strengths
Urruti is best known as a classic penalty-area striker who combines sharp movement with calm finishing. He is comfortable running the channels, finishing with both feet, and arriving late in the box to meet crosses. Throughout his MLS career, he has shown a knack for scoring in streaks, including a four-game scoring run with FC Dallas in 2017 and similar hot patches in Houston and Portland.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Urruti’s most memorable moments are his 2013 Torneo Final title with Newell’s Old Boys, his role in Portland’s MLS Cup 2015 triumph, his brace in the 2016 U.S. Open Cup final for FC Dallas, and the 2019 Canadian Championship won with the Montreal Impact.
Maximiliano Urruti Career Wins
Over the course of his professional career, Urruti has collected major silverware in both Argentina and North America. His trophy cabinet includes the 2013 Torneo Final with Newell’s Old Boys, the 2015 MLS Cup with Portland Timbers, the 2016 U.S. Open Cup with FC Dallas, and the 2019 Canadian Championship with the Montreal Impact.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major team trophies, Urruti has been a consistent contributor on the scoresheet throughout his career, registering double-digit goal tallies in multiple MLS seasons. He has also featured regularly in continental competition, including the Copa Libertadores with Newell’s Old Boys and the CONCACAF Champions League with Portland Timbers and FC Dallas.
Maximiliano Urruti Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Urruti comes from a football family. His father, Juan José Urruti, was a professional footballer who represented the Argentina national team once and played in Argentina, Spain, Bolivia, and Chile. His mother is Claudia Mussa, and he has a sister named Lorena. Growing up in this environment helped shape his early commitment to the sport and his understanding of the demands of a professional career.
Personal Life
Urruti is married to his wife, Ivon, and the couple has a son together. He holds a U.S. green card, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes and has allowed him to enjoy a long and stable career across multiple American clubs.
2025 Season Performance
Urruti’s 2025 season began with his move to the New England Revolution on a one-year contract with a 2026 club option, reuniting him with the Eastern Conference after previous stints with the Montreal Impact and Houston Dynamo. He made his first appearance for the club in the home opener on 1 March 2025, coming off the bench against the Columbus Crew.
On 14 August 2025, New England waived Urruti, bringing an early end to his time with the club. Following his release, he became a free agent available to sign with another MLS side or a club in another league for the remainder of the year.
Across his career, Urruti has continued to demonstrate the finishing instincts and experience that have kept him in demand in Major League Soccer for more than a decade. His versatility as a target striker and his comfort in tight matches remain attractive qualities for any club seeking depth and leadership up front.