Bruce Murray (soccer)

Football player infobox| playername= Bruce Murray
fullname = Bruce Murray
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1966|1|25
cityofbirth = Germantown, Maryland
countryofbirth = United States
height = height|ft=6|in=1
currentclub = Retired
position = Forward /Midfielder
youthyears = 1984-87
youthclubs = Clemson
years = 1988-90
1988-89
1991
1993-94
1994
1995
1995
clubs = Washington Stars
FC Luzern
Maryland Bays
Millwall
→ Stockport County "(loan)"
Ayr United F.C.
Atlanta Ruckus
caps(goals) =
09 (2)
13 (2)
03 (0)
01 (0)
28 (4)
nationalyears = 1985-1993
nationalteam = United States
nationalcaps(goals) = 86 (21)
manageryears = 2004-2006
managerclubs = Harvard Crimson "(assistant)"
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

Bruce Murray (born January 25, 1966 in Germantown, Maryland) is a former American soccer forward, who at the time of his retirement was the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. National Team, a record that has since been eclipsed by Landon Donovan, Eric Wynalda, Brian McBride, and Joe-Max Moore.

Youth and college

Murray grew up in Maryland and attended Winston Churchill High School. He played high school soccer at Churchill as well as with the Montgomery United Ponies, winning National Championships with the Ponies at the U-16 age group in 1981 and the U-19 age group in 1983.

After graduating from high school, Murray attended Clemson University where he played as a forward on the men's soccer team from 1984 to 1987. In his freshman year, the Tigers took the 1984 NCAA championship in a 2-1 victory over Indiana. Through his four years at Clemson, Murray was a dominant forward, finishing his career as the first Clemson player to gain 40 goals and 40 assists. His senior year, he again won the NCAA championship, this time a 2-0 victory over San Diego State. On a personal level, he was named the 1987 Hermann Trophy winner and the 1987 ISAA Player of the Year. He was also selected as a first team All American as a forward. This went with his selection as a 1985 All American midfielder. In 2000, "SoccerAmerica" named Murray to its College Team of the Century.

Professional

In 1988, Murray signed with the Washington Stars of the American Soccer League (ASL). This was the first year in existence for both the Stars and ASL. The Stars finished third in the North Division with an 11-9 record and out of playoff contention. ^{[http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1988/statsasl88.htm]} He continued with the Stars for the next three seasons, but also spent time with Swiss club FC Luzern during the 1988-1989 winter (ASL offseason) season. In 1990, the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League to form the American Professional Soccer League. The Stars continued their poor run of play, finishing 7-13 and out of playoff contention yet again. The team folded at the end of the 1990 and Murray moved to the Maryland Bays.

In 1991, Murray played 9 games, scoring 2 goals, with the Bays. ^{[http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1991/stats91.htm#Maryland]} By this time the APSL was collapsing and the Bays folded at the end of the season.

Murray took a break from professional soccer when he signed a contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) to play full time with the U.S. national team. On July 30, 1993, the U.S. Soccer Federation released Murray from his national team contract in order to allow him to pursue professional opportunities in Europe. ^{[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDE1F38F933A05754C0A965958260]} Murray then moved to England to pursue a contract with English Second Division club Millwall.

On August 9, 1993, Murray signed with Millwall and scored six days later in his debut match when Millwall defeated Stoke City 2-1. ^{[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DB163CF936A2575BC0A965958260]} Despite this excellent start, Murray was limited to eight games, scoring three goals, over the next year and Millwall released him on October 12, 1994. ^{[http://www.millwall-history.co.uk/Millwall-A2Z-MtoR.htm]} During his time with Millwall, the team sent him on loan to Stockport County

When Murray came back to the U.S., he signed with the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League. That season the Ruckus went to the championship before falling to the Seattle Sounders. ^{[http://goalseattle.com/gallery/1996SeattleSoundersMediaGuide/1996media_11]} Having battle knee injuries, Murray retired from playing professionally at the end of the 1995 season.

National team

Murray earned his first cap in a 5-0 defeat against England in Los Angeles, on June 16, 1985, while still in college. His first national team goal came against Uruguay on February 7, 1986.

Murray went on to play on the U.S. team at the1988 Summer Olympics, and become a mainstay in the line-up during World Cup qualifying.

Murray started all three games for the US at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the U.S.'s first appearance at the Cup since 1950. His play in the World Cup saw him having a hand in both goals scored during the finals, scoring one and assisting on the other.

Only Brian McBride, Clint Mathis, and John O'Brien have recorded a goal and an assist for the United States in one World Cup final. Murray ended his national team career in 1993 with 86 caps and 22 goals.

Murray also played for the U.S. futsal team which placed 3rd at the 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship. He earned 6 caps and scored 1 goal with the futsal team. ^{[http://www.ussoccer.com/common/stContent.jsp_88-TFAR.html]}

Post playing career

After a series of knee injuries, Murray decided to retire from playing professionally. At first, he entered the metals trading industry, but in 2001, he decided to re-enter soccer with the Atlanta Silverbacks youth program. ^{[http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=54744]}

In 2002, Murray became the Director of coaching with the Roswell Soccer Club in Georgia.

On September 17, 2004, Harvard University announced that Murray had been hired as an assistant coach with the men's soccer team. ^{[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=503386]} He was with Harvard for two seasons, then moved to the Capital Area Soccer Club where he is a staff coach.

In 1993, Murray was elected to the Clemson University Hall of Fame.

External links

* [http://ussoccerplayers.com/players/alumni/index.html?player_id=93 USSoccerPlayers.com bio]
* [http://www.caslnc.com/home/default.asp?menu_category=Contact%20Us&menuid=815&parid=815 CASL bio]