# James Murphy (soccer, born 1997)

James Murphy (born September 17, 1997) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Indy Eleven.
Murphy grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, where he was named as the 2013–14 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

## Club career
### United States

Murphy came through the ranks at the Players Development Academy in his home state of New Jersey. He played for the United States under-20 team during the 2015 Stevan Vilotic Tournament and 2015 Four Nations Tournament. Also in 2015, Murphy went on trial with the Philadelphia Union of MLS but ended up not signing with the club.

### Sheffield Wednesday

Murphy signed a professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in June 2016.
In August 2016 he made his first team debut for the club, coming on as a substitute as Wednesday lost to Cambridge United in the first round of the Football League Cup.

### Los Angeles FC

Murphy joined MLS side Los Angeles FC on March 2, 2018, ahead of their inaugural season. On May 22, 2018, he made his LAFC debut in a friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

### Las Vegas Lights FC

Murphy joined USL side Las Vegas Lights FC on June 22, 2018, on a short-term loan. He had his first assist in his debut with the club on June 24, 2018, against Swope Park Rangers.

### Arbroath

After a trial spell, Murphy signed with Scottish Championship club Arbroath in July 2019.

### Rio Grande Valley FC

In July 2020, returned to the United States, joining USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.

### Monterey Bay FC

Murphy signed with USL Championship expansion side Monterey Bay FC on February 8, 2022. Murphy was included in the starting 11 for Monterey Bay's inaugural match, a 4–2 loss to Phoenix Rising FC. Murphy's contract option was declined following the 2023 USL Championship season.

### Detroit City FC

Murphy signed a two-year contract with Detroit City on January 25, 2024. Detroit declined his contract option following their 2024 season.

### Indy Eleven

Murphy joined Indy Eleven on January 29, 2025 ahead of their 2025 season. He made his debut for the club on March 15, 2025, in a 1–3 victory over Miami FC in the USL Championship.

## Personal life

Murphy has an older sister, Casey, and two younger brothers, John and Owen. Both brothers also play soccer, with John Murphy being a player for Forward Madison FC, and Owen being of the Montclair University soccer team.

## Career statistics

    As of match played March 15, 2025.
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2017–18 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles FC | 2018 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Lights FC (loan) | 2018 | USL Championship | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Arbroath | 2019–20 | Scottish Championship | 17 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 4 |
| Rio Grande Valley | 2020 | USL Championship | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Rio Grande Valley | 2021 | USL Championship | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Rio Grande Valley | Total | Total | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| Monterey Bay FC | 2022 | USL Championship | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Monterey Bay FC | 2023 | USL Championship | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| Monterey Bay FC | Total | Total | 57 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 |
| Detroit City FC | 2024 | USL Championship | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| Indy Eleven | 2025 | USL Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 75 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 163 | 5 |
* ↑ Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup