Podcast: Vermont’s Max Murray on winning a national title, getting drafted

Vermont's Max Murray joined 'The Goal' podcast. (Anthony Sorbellini/Getty Images)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is University of Vermont graduate center back Max Murray.

On Dec. 16, Murray (Kennebunkport, Maine) helped Vermont win its first-ever national championship with a dramatic comeback 2-1 overtime win over Marshall in the title game in Cary, N.C. America East champion UVM won six NCAA Tournament games and traveled nearly 7,000 miles in doing so.

The 6-foot-5 Murray started all 24 games and tallied four goals and four assists in the 2024 campaign. The former First Team All-America East striker became a Second Team All-America East performer as a center back. 

Four days after winning the national championship, Murray was selected in the first round of Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft 2025 by New York City. 

Murray joined hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty to discuss winning the national championship, his time at Vermont and his future in pro soccer.

Watch/listen

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

On his college experience:

Murray: “I always say this is the best decision I ever made going to UVM. I was there for five years. It was a really long journey, a lot of hard work put into it. But at the end of the day the team came together for one last run in the NCAA Tournament and we finished the job, which was really special.”

On what made the 2024 Vermont team special:

Murray: “We were willing to do whatever it took. You kind of look at some of our games that we played in the (NCAA) tournament — Iona, we were on the front foot for most of that game and we were able to put five goals in, Hofstra was a good balance of both. But then, once we got to San Diego, Pitt and then the Denver and Marshall games, we played more defense. We sat back a little bit more, but it was just digging deep. We were willing to sit back and absorb a little bit more pressure. But we trusted our guys up top.”

On getting drafted:

Murray: “It was kind of surreal, because it was just the hard work for my whole life had been for this moment right here and for it to finally happen, it was pretty special. And, I was (home in Maine) with my mom and my brother, so I got to enjoy it with them.”

On what position he projects as at the professional level:

Murray: “I think it’s center back. Athletically, size — I just feel like my game best translates to center back.”

The full podcast can be accessed below and is available on all major platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review.