From Youth Soccer in Spain to College Goalkeeper in the States: Marist College Goalie Alex Murania Shares His Unique Journey.

How did you get started in goalkeeping? Did you always know you wanted to be a goalkeeper?

I started playing for Cracks FC, my local club in Valencia, Spain, when I was three years old. From the beginning, I gravitated toward the goal because I didn’t enjoy running and preferred staying in one place to make saves. After occasionally trying other positions for a year or two, I decided to commit fully to being a goalkeeper.

You're from Queens, NY. What is the youth soccer scene like in the five boroughs?

The youth soccer scene in the five boroughs has improved significantly since I moved to Queens, New York. There are now more organized clubs dedicated to developing young players, and parks are filled with kids playing soccer. Despite the city’s dense landscape, youth clubs train in packed parks and on challenging fields, making soccer increasingly accessible and competitive.

Tell us about your time in Valencia, Spain playing for Cracks FC.

I played for Cracks FC in Valencia for about six years, which was an incredible experience. Soccer is taken more seriously in Spain, so I had access to excellent resources and a legendary goalkeeper coach with professional experience across Spanish clubs. I regularly competed against top academies like Valencia, Villarreal, and Levante, all part of Spain's first division.

Coming back to the United States, you played with multiple youth clubs. How did the environments here compare to Spain?

Soccer environments in the U.S. and Spain are quite different. In the U.S., soccer competes with other popular sports like football and basketball, leading to less investment and infrastructure. In Spain, soccer is the dominant sport, with greater resources and more experienced coaches. While the overall level of play stayed similar to me, U.S. soccer was more physically focused, whereas Spain emphasized technical skills.

What was your experience like playing in MLS NEXT? Do you think it prepared you well for the collegiate level?

Playing in MLS NEXT with Metropolitan Oval was essential for my preparation for college. My teammates were committed to playing for top D1 and D3 college programs, which raised the competition level. We faced teams with players recruited by top colleges, and the top-class coaching staff, including my goalkeeper coach Sebastiano Mana, provided invaluable guidance. His expertise in training college and professional goalkeepers equipped me with the skills needed for collegiate play.

What was your recruitment process like for college? Was Marist always one of your top choices?

The college recruitment process was challenging. Most of my teammates committed before me, and my hand injury during junior year delayed my outreach to coaches until senior year. Ideally, recruitment starts in sophomore or junior year. Marist was a school I had been interested in since early senior year, and I stayed in contact with them. Eventually, they saw me play, made an offer, and I knew it was the right fit due to its proximity, great coaching staff, academics and supportive environment.

How has your transition to the Division I collegiate level been? What challenges have you had to adapt to?

Transitioning to the Division I level has been an adjustment. The game is faster and more physical, so adapting to the speed and new training methods was initially challenging. I've had to work harder, incorporating gym sessions and additional training to raise my level and adapt. Despite these challenges, I've noticed significant improvement and feel that I'm adjusting well.

You've dealt with an injury this year. How has that impacted you mentally? How has it changed your involvement with the team?

Injuries are tough and make you feel disconnected from your sport. Mentally, it can be discouraging and lead to negative thinking, but staying positive and focusing on recovery is vital. Though not training, I've been learning and supporting my teammates, which is essential for maintaining morale and team spirit.

What are your long-term goals in soccer?

My long-term goal is to play professionally and reach my full potential.

Since you're a native New Yorker, Jets or Giants?

I’m not a huge American football fan, but I’ve always preferred the Giants over the Jets.

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