Chris Mueller (soccer)


Christopher Mueller is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for Orlando City in MLS. Following a collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Mueller was the sixth overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, joining Orlando City.

Career

Youth and college

Mueller grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois and played college soccer at the University of Wisconsin from 2014 to 2017, scoring 22 goals in 75 regular season matches. In 2016, Mueller was selected to the All-America third-team and the All-Big Ten first team. In 2017, Mueller was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, as well as being selected to the All-Big Ten first team and the All-America second-team.

Orlando City

On January 19, 2018, Mueller was drafted as the sixth overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, by Orlando City SC. He made his professional debut on March 3, 2018 in a season-opening 1–1 draw with D.C. United. On April 8, 2018, Mueller scored his first professional goal against Portland Timbers in a 3–2 victory. On April 21, 2018, Mueller scored the fastest goal in Orlando City history when he scored 63 seconds into a match against the San Jose Earthquakes, and later in the match he recorded his first professional assist. Mueller was runner-up for the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Award.
On March 2, 2019, Mueller started in his second consecutive season opener, scoring in a 2–2 against New York City FC. He scored his first U.S. Open Cup goal against the same opposition on July 10, 2019 in a 1–1 quarter-final draw before Orlando progressed to their first ever semi-final on penalties. In July 2019, Mueller was part of the Orlando City team alongside Nani and Sebas Méndez that won the 2019 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, beating teams from the MLS All-Stars and Atlético Madrid to win the $25,000 prize for charity with Mueller notably the only player to successfully complete a scissors kick during the volleys round.
On March 7, 2020, Mueller scored Orlando's first goal of the season in a 2–1 away loss to Colorado Rapids. With the season affected by the coronavirus pandemic, a return to play was achieved through the MLS is Back Tournament. Mueller scored in the opening game as Orlando beat newly-formed rivals Inter Miami CF 2–1 before scoring a brace in the following game, a 3–1 victory over New York City FC.

Career statistics

College

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