Michael Boxall Bio
Michael Joseph Boxall, born on 18 August 1988, is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a defender. He currently represents Major League Soccer club Minnesota United FC, where he wears the number 15 shirt, and also features for the New Zealand national team, known as the All Whites. Standing at 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in), Boxall has built a long professional career that has taken him from his hometown of Auckland to clubs in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced defenders in New Zealand football.
Early Life and Background
Michael Joseph Boxall was born on 18 August 1988 in Auckland, New Zealand. He grew up in a sporting family and is of Samoan heritage. He is the older brother of Nikko Boxall, who has also gone on to play international football for New Zealand. Boxall attended Mount Albert Grammar School, where he developed as a central defender in the school system.
While at Mount Albert Grammar School, Boxall anchored the defence for a strong Mount Albert side. The school won the league title in 2004 and 2005 and placed first at the national tournament in 2005. In his senior season in 2006, Boxall was named team captain. That year, he led the team to a second Knockout Cup title in three years and helped the side reach the Auckland Secondary School Soccer Association Championship, eventually finishing second at the national tournament.
Outside of school football, Boxall played for several youth and amateur clubs in Auckland, including Ellerslie AFC, Three Kings United, Central United, and Auckland City FC. With Central United, he won the 2007 Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier title. He also won the New Zealand Football Championship with Auckland City, making six appearances during that campaign. Boxall was named Auckland City Young Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007.
Path to Professional Soccer
Boxall was recruited to play college soccer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, by head coach Tim Vom Steeg. He followed in the footsteps of fellow New Zealanders Tony Lochhead and Neil Jones, both of whom earned senior international caps after playing for the Gauchos. In his first season at UC Santa Barbara, Boxall appeared in 12 matches and started 10, establishing himself as a dependable defender alongside team stalwart Andy Iro. A knee injury cut his freshman season short, but he still led all rookies with 10 starts.
After three seasons in the U.S. college game, Boxall entered the professional ranks. In 2011, he was selected first overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He agreed to terms with the club on 17 March 2011, beginning a professional journey that has since spanned four countries and multiple leagues.
Michael Boxall Career
Early Career (2006–2012)
Before turning professional, Boxall featured for Central United and Auckland City in New Zealand between 2006 and 2007, winning domestic silverware with both clubs. After his time at UC Santa Barbara, he was chosen first overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft and signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He made his professional debut on 19 March 2011, in Vancouver’s MLS opener against Toronto FC, and also made three appearances for the Whitecaps in 2012 before being waived on 22 June 2012. During his early MLS spell, he also spent time on loan with Vancouver Whitecaps U-23.
Boxall was then confirmed as a Wellington Phoenix signing on 10 July 2012, joining his homeland club on a two-year contract. National team coach Ricki Herbert was instrumental in the move. After a debut on 14 October 2012 in a 1–1 draw with Melbourne Heart, Boxall was loaned to the Oakleigh Cannons of the Victorian Premier League. He returned to the Phoenix and, under new head coach Ernie Merrick, signed a one-year extension in January 2014, going on to make 20 appearances in the 2013–14 A-League season.
Wellington Phoenix Era (2012–2015)
Boxall’s move to the Wellington Phoenix marked his return to top-flight football in New Zealand. Although his first season was difficult and he spent time on loan at Oakleigh Cannons, he gradually established himself as a regular starter. In 2014–15, he continued to feature for the Phoenix Reserves as well as the senior side, building a reputation as a composed, physical centre-back in the A-League.
SuperSport United Era (2015–2017)
In 2015, Boxall moved abroad again, signing with South African Premier Division side SuperSport United. Over two seasons, he made 68 league and cup appearances and scored five goals. During his time in Pretoria, he won the Nedbank Cup, adding an international trophy to his résumé. He also featured in the FIFA Confederations Cup for New Zealand during this period of his career.
Minnesota United Era (2017–Present)
After the Confederations Cup, Boxall returned to the United States and signed with expansion side Minnesota United FC in July 2017. In his first four seasons, he made 124 total appearances for the club, more than any other Minnesota player during that span, and scored four goals. He signed a contract extension in 2021 to remain with the Loons. On 23 July 2023, during his first Leagues Cup match against Puebla FC, Boxall received his first career MLS red card for a foul on Guillermo Martínez.
Driving Style and Strengths
Boxall is a tall, physical centre-back who excels in aerial duels and one-on-one defending. He reads the game well, organizes the back line, and is comfortable playing out from the back. His partnership with experienced defenders at Minnesota United has helped him refine his positioning and communication, while his years of experience across multiple leagues have made him a calm and reliable presence in high-pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Boxall’s standout moments, his match-winning contributions at SuperSport helped him lift the Nedbank Cup, and his four-season appearance record underlined his importance to Minnesota United. In June 2023, he was at the centre of an international incident when the New Zealand team walked off the pitch during a friendly against Qatar following an alleged racial abuse incident directed at him.
Michael Boxall Career Wins
Michael Joseph Boxall has collected club and personal honours across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. His most prominent trophy came with SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup, while earlier in his career he won domestic titles with Central United and Auckland City in New Zealand. He was also named Auckland City Young Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
Club Highlights
With Central United, Boxall won the 2007 Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier title. With Auckland City, he won the New Zealand Football Championship, making six appearances during the title-winning campaign. With SuperSport United in South Africa, he won the Nedbank Cup across two seasons in which he made 68 appearances and scored five goals in league and cup play.
Other Wins and Performances
At schoolboy level, Boxall captained Mount Albert Grammar School to a Knockout Cup title in his senior year and back-to-back league titles. He also captained the school to a runner-up finish at the national tournament in 2006, marking him as one of the most decorated young defenders in New Zealand secondary school football.
Michael Boxall Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Joseph Boxall is of Samoan heritage. He is the older brother of Nikko Boxall, a fellow New Zealand international footballer. Their shared pathway from Auckland into professional football reflects a strong family background in the sport.
Personal Life
Boxall was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, where he attended Mount Albert Grammar School before moving to the United States for college. His brother Nikko has also represented New Zealand at international level, and the two are among the most notable footballing siblings from Auckland in recent years.
2025 Season Performance
Michael Joseph Boxall continued his role as a senior defender for Minnesota United FC during the 2025 MLS season, providing leadership at the back for the Loons. His experience and consistency have remained central to Minnesota’s defensive structure as the club pushed for a strong playoff position. On the international stage, 2025 was a landmark year for Boxall with the All Whites.
On 24 March 2025, Boxall scored the opening goal, a header, in New Zealand’s 3-0 victory over New Caledonia, helping the All Whites qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That goal, scored at the age of 36, was his first ever international goal and served as a major career milestone.
Looking ahead, Boxall is expected to remain a key figure for both Minnesota United and New Zealand as the All Whites prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His combination of physicality, composure, and leadership ensures he will continue to play a central role in the defensive plans of both club and country throughout the year.
