Max Murray got a front-row introduction to Major League Soccer as a professional rookie.

Ten times, the Kennebunkport native was on the game-day roster for New York City FC, an MLS franchise since 2015. Right on the sidelines. Wearing The Boys in Blue’s uniform. Called up from being a full-time starter for NYC FCII in the MLS Next Pro league.

This year the 6-foot-5 center back hopes to take the next step: Getting on the pitch in an MLS game. The 10 “on-the-game-day-roster” appearances did not translate to a minute played.

Murray is working to make sure his first minute of game action comes this year.

“That decision is usually made on a weekly basis, which team you’re going to be practicing and playing with,” said Murray, who turns 24 in April.

Murray is with the first team for preseason training, which began Jan. 11 in Tampa Bay. After two closed-door scrimmages in Florida, the team has three preseason games against other MLS squads at the Coachella (California) Valley Invitational from Feb. 8-14.

“It’s still all part of the process, making sure every time you step on the field in preseason that you impress and put your best foot forward,” Murray said.

FROM MAINE TO THE PROS

Murray grew up playing club soccer for Global Premier out of Portland, then Seacoast United. As a sophomore and junior in high school, Murray played for Seacoast’s team in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program while attending Kennebunk High.

Murray played his senior season of soccer for the high school team. Though he was a defender on his club team, Murray was Kennebunk’s featured attacker, scoring 19 goals with seven assists, earning a Varsity Maine All-State selection to go with being a two-time Varsity Maine All-State basketball player.

Murray excelled at the University of Vermont, playing multiple positions. Recruited as a defender, Murray was the Catamounts’ full-time striker in 2022, earning multiple America East Player of the Week honors.

He was back at defense as a senior and led Vermont to the NCAA championship in 2024, and days later was NYCFC’s first-round pick in the MLS Super Draft. The club made a draft-day trade to move up seven spots to take Murray 17th overall.

STRONG STEPS

In his first season of pro soccer, Murray was a standout on the second team. He started all 21 games when he was on the NYC FCII roster, playing the full game 19 times and scoring two goals.

MLS Next Pro is a third-tier league in United States soccer, with an emphasis on player development to benefit the MLS parent club. USL League One, which includes the Portland Hearts of Pine, is the other U.S. third-division league, though its business model is built around independent franchises.

Matt Pilkinton saw Murray’s development up close as the head coach of New York City FC II. Murray’s professionalism and willingness to learn was evident, and resulted in “significant growth over the year.”

Pilkinton added, “He showed a strong training attitude, a daily drive to improve, and consistently sought feedback while engaging with staff on his individual development.”

Murray said it took time to adjust to the speed of play, which is a function of the overall talent in professional soccer.

“You have to think so much quicker,” Murray said. “You have to make those quick decisions that much faster. Physically, everyone’s the same. Everyone is fast and strong. The real difference is how quick they think.”

Murray dressed with the first team for five MLS regular-season games, three League Cup matches and the final two playoff games.

Murray took a moment to appreciate who was on the opposite sideline last November for a semifinal against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a 5-1 victory.

“You grow up watching Messi, and to be walking out in the same tunnel as him, that’s just a dream,” Murray said.

Playing soccer professionally is another dream realized. Murray said he appreciated being on the bench at big-league stadiums like Yankee Stadium, where New York City FC plays some home matches.

While he did not play in any games, he did spend several weeks practicing with the MLS first team.

“It benefits you a lot,” Murray said. “Every week, you want to be playing with the best players and testing yourself. Week after week, you start to see how you can improve your game and which part of your game still needs work.”

Murray said he was able to show how his size and durability — he did not miss a game because of injury — could play at the pro level.

“I’ve still got to improve in presence and aggression, and making sure every time I step onto the field, I’m moving in the right direction,” Murray said. “That’s being a vocal presence and a physical presence.”