Duncan McGuire (soccer)

Duncan MacAllister McGuire (born February 5, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Orlando City and the United States national team.

Early career
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, McGuire prepped at Creighton Preparatory School where he was a two-time Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska First Team selection (2018 and 2019) and was chosen to play at the 2019 Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase. He played club soccer for Elkhorn SC.

Creighton Bluejays
Having attended the program's youth summer camps for a decade, McGuire committed to playing college soccer at Creighton University. He played three seasons for the Creighton Bluejays between 2019 and 2022, redshirting as a freshman in 2019. With the 2020 season delayed until early 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, McGuire eventually made his collegiate debut on February 20, 2021, away to Marquette Golden Eagles. He was one of six players to appear in all 12 matches during the season, making four starts, scoring four goals and three assists, and was named to the All-Big East Second Team. He made a further 19 appearances as a redshirt sophomore, making five starts and scoring five goals.

2022 proved a breakout year for McGuire. He played in all 24 matches, starting in all but one, and scored 23 goals, the most in the nation and a new Bluejays single season record. Six of his goals came as Creighton won the 2022 Big East Conference men's soccer tournament and McGuire was named tournament offensive MVP. Creighton also made a run to the NCCA College Cup semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Syracuse Orange 3–2. Individually McGuire was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year, TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year, and was awarded the Hermann Trophy. He became the first Creighton Bluejay to win the honor since McGuire's head coach Johnny Torres in 1997.

Lane United
McGuire played the 2022 USL League Two season with Lane United. He debuted in the first game of the season and scored his first goal in a 5–1 loss to Ballard FC on May 21, 2022. On June 4, McGuire assisted in two goals in a 2–0 victory over Oly Town FC, his first win with the club. In total, McGuire scored four goals and assisted three others in 11 appearances.

2023: MLS debut and top club goal scorer
On December 21, 2022, McGuire was selected in the first round (6th overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City. He was officially announced as a new signing by Orlando on February 22, 2023. He scored his first professional goal in his debut for Orlando against D.C. United on March 11 in a 1–1 draw. McGuire scored the equalizing goal against Houston Dynamo FC on July 21 in the group stage of the Leagues Cup, leading to a penalty shootout in which the Lions won. In the second group stage game on July 29, McGuire scored the equalizing goal against Santos Laguna in a 3–2 victory, helping to send Orlando top of the group and qualify for the round of 32.

In the last five matches of the regular season, McGuire scored or assisted in at least one goal in each match, including his first brace for the club in a 2–0 victory over Toronto FC on October 22, one of which was awarded goal of the matchday. The Lions advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs before being eliminated by Columbus Crew in a 2–0 loss. McGuire finished as the club's top goalscorer on the season with 15 goals in all competitions. With an additional three assists, his 18-goal contributions was second only to Facundo Torres with 19.

2024: Failed transfer to Blackburn Rovers
On January 31, 2024, McGuire flew to the United Kingdom to finalize a permanent transfer to EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers. However, Rovers pulled out of the deal while McGuire was on the flight and he subsequently spent the night in Sheffield amid interest from fellow Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. The following day it was announced Orlando City had reached an agreement with Blackburn Rovers for a six-month loan with an option to buy. The loan move was denied by the English Football League due to an "administrative error" during the submission of McGuire's registration documents by Blackburn Rovers, which meant the club missed the transfer deadline. An appeal by the club was rejected by the EFL board on February 8 and McGuire returned to Orlando.

On February 21, McGuire scored the first goal for Orlando in their competitive 2024 season in a 3–0 victory over Cavalry FC in the first leg of their tie in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. On March 9, McGuire scored the club's first goal of the regular season and the fastest goal in club history, beating Tesho Akindele's previous record of 31 seconds, when he hit the back of the net in under thirteen seconds against Minnesota United. However, despite making it a brace in the second half, Orlando would go on to lose 3–2.

A report from The Athletic stated that Blackburn Rovers sent a high ranking executive to Orlando to scout McGuire during his match against Inter Miami on May 15 and also to reopen transfer negotiations. Orlando City also reportedly offered McGuire an enhanced deal. In an interview later in May on Goal's Studs Up show, McGuire discussed the failed transfer to Blackburn Rovers and that he'd only be open to attempting to sign with the club again if they offered a very high paying contract.

McGuire reportedly turned down a new contract with Orlando City following meetings between the club and player between June 29 and 30. He had reportedly also declined a previous offer from Orlando City, with it being said it was not in line with market standards. Orlando City released a statement to WESH regarding McGuire in which they said that they are continuing to have discussions with McGuire and that they are looking "forward to his continued impact on the field".

McGuire's addition to US Olympic Soccer Team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris made him the first person from the club to be chosen for the competition.

Personal life
McGuire has two siblings, Maren and Holden. Holden has down syndrome and McGuire credits his younger brother for teaching him appreciate the little things in life and to not get angry about insignificant things.

Youth
In October 2023, McGuire was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan. He scored his first international goal on his second appearance just two minutes after being substituted on against Japan in an eventual 4–1 victory on October 18. On March 14, 2024, McGuire received a call-up to the under-23s for training camp in Spain and France as well as friendlies against Guinea and France, which resulted in a 3–0 victory and 2–2 draw respectively. McGuire started for the under-23s in a 2–0 friendly loss against Japan on June 11 in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympics. McGuire was ultimately selected for the Olympic Soccer Team. In an interview with KETV, McGuire described how he felt after receiving a call from Marko Mitrović and getting called up to represent the United States at the Olympics, saying that he was overjoyed and "wanted to jump up and down like a little kid".

Senior
In January 2024, McGuire was given his first call-up to the senior national team for January training in Orlando ahead of a friendly against Slovenia. On January 20, McGuire came on as a substitute in their 0–1 loss to Slovenia.

Honors
Creighton Bluejays
 * Big East Tournament: 2022

Individual
 * Big East Offensive Player of the Year: 2022
 * TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year: 2022
 * Hermann Trophy: 2022