Homegrown Alex Muyl Discusses Transition from Academy to College to Pros

Alex Muyl was a dominant forward at Georgetown University, and is ready for the next step in his pro career: in a familiar place., Muyl excelled on both sides of the ball, and his junior year was  named to the All-BIG EAST team after having scored six goals and 10 assists. Muyl signed a homegrown contract for the Red Bulls on Dec. 22, becoming the thirteenth homegrown singed for the organization at the time. He was joined by Georgetown teammate Brandon Allen, and was one of seven former Red Bulls academy players to sign with the team this offseason.

Despite the crowded incoming academy class, Muyl said to Once a Metro that he was prepared to make an impact on the team from day one. He says the atmosphere from college will be enough to adjust to the pressure of the pros.

"The only pressure I really felt was pressure we put on ourselves," Muyl said to OaM. "[Georgetown] had a really good team and we knew it."

Muyl played for the Red Bulls Academy before playing in the nation's capital. He was the leading goal scorer of the U-16 team in 2011-12, scoring the game winning goal in the 2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship.

"Being in the Academy has been really helpful," Muyl said. "There are a lot of familiar faces around, especially making the steps [to the first team]. It feels like I h ave come home."

Muyl's coach at Georgetown, Brian Wiese, prepared him for the next step in the pros, and Muyl said that coaching was just as integral as the guidance he received when on the field.

"Coach [Wiese] explained the mentality [of MLS] and how it's different from college," Muyl said of his transition into the majors. "He stressed that I get to know everyone's name, [including] the people behind the scenes. This is important for a family atmosphere."

Muyl said he chose Georgetown due to it having city atmosphere similar to his hometown of New York and it allowed him to "improve as a student."

"I learned to be mentally consistent and more composed," Muyl said. "I've matured as a person, not necessarily with just soccer, but my growth as a human."

Currently, Muyl has been working with the training staff to rehab an injury he picked up during training. He says working with Damien Perrinelle, who is rehabbing a torn ACL, has been helpful in getting back to full fitness. As the Red Bulls depart for their final preseason camp in Orlando, Muyl says he will work hard to get back on the field as soon as possible, so he can make an impact come March for the start of the 2016 MLS season.