At first, Alex Muyl didn’t think that Sophia cared much for him. Now, the New York Red Bulls midfielder not only has a biggest fan, but he has an inspiration every time he steps on the field. It is a relationship that has helped spur Muyl’s scintillating performances in recent weeks, undoubtedly the best of his MLS career.

On Sunday night, Muyl scored the first goal and beautifully assisted another in the second half to key the Red Bulls’ 3-0 win over the Columbus Crew. With the win, New York advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will face Atlanta United. In Muyl, the Red Bulls have a player who is defying the narrative about him in the biggest moments of the season.

That change began around the time he met Sophia.

In an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer, the Red Bulls had their players design cleats that they would wear during warm-ups ahead of the home match against Toronto FC in late September. Muyl met with Sophia as part of the “Tackle Kids Cancer” program to design the cleats. He recalls thinking she wasn’t necessarily enjoying their time together, even as he tried his best to connect with a design that included flowers and penguins, two of her favorite things.

(Mike Lawrence/New York Red Bulls)

Despite Muyl’s concerns, it turned out that Sophia left their design session quite the fan. She draws pictures for him and anytime she’s attended a game over the past month, Muyl has always managed to find her and spend time with the family. She also gave him a T-shirt that features a picture of her to remind him of her.

Muyl has worn the shirt before every home game (players are required to wear club polos before away matches, but they can wear what they want at home) since he received it. In a total of seven matches (including Sunday), Muyl has two goals and two assists since receiving Sophia’s gift. In nearly every match, he’s been one of the team’s most dynamic players in the midfield, and has shown a real creative flair down the wing.

Shortly after he entered MLS in 2016 and worked his way into the Red Bulls’ rotation on the wings, Muyl was labeled by fans and the media as nothing more than an effort player—someone who runs hard but isn’t necessarily skilled on the ball. However, in recent weeks, he has been confident in the final third, and he’s shown a dangerous ability on the dribble.

He says meeting Sophia has given him perspective and balance.

“It is a reminder to me of what it really is to fight,” Muyl told The Athletic. “Of what is really important. She is inspiring in so many ways. Wearing this—it inspires me.”

Muyl conducted his post-game interviews wearing the T-shirt on Sunday.

(Kristian Dyer)

It has been a coming of age season for Muyl, now in his third year with the Red Bulls. A forward at Georgetown and also when he was part of the Red Bulls academy, Muyl was known as a goalscorer until he signed with the team as a Homegrown Player in 2016. His role then changed upon arrival in MLS.

On a team that values work rate and effort as part of a maniacal pressing system, Muyl’s high-energy style was a perfect fit on the wing, a major reason why he has 87 appearances and 52 starts over the past three years.

Despite his indefatigable style, Muyl hasn’t always been appreciated by the team’s fanbase. A failure to consistently complete plays in the final third, despite having played as a forward in college, is something that confounded supporters. At times he was a bit pedestrian in moving forward, but Muyl continued to earn starts because his work rate was undeniably vital to this team’s defensive shape.

Now there is more nuance to his game, though. He’s becoming a playmaker out wide, and not just a destroyer in the press. He’s been daring and inventive on the dribble in recent weeks, combining well with teammates and driving in quality crosses.

The criticism of his attacking play is something Muyl is aware of. He even went so far as to cup his ears after scoring a goal earlier this season to acknowledge it. In his role on the wing, he admits he felt limited and constrained.

“It’s funny because when our first year or two together (with the first team), he’d always talk to me how he felt like a different player at Georgetown to an extent and that he was a little more free there,” midfielder Sean Davis told The Athletic.

“And now I think you’re looking at a player who steps on the field and knows what the job requires. He’s really strong mentally and he can put in these performances, week in and week out. He has shown that in the toughest stretch of the season, in the biggest moments like tonight—just the growth of the player, the experience he’s been able to have under his belt. It’s the perfect time for Alex Muyl. I couldn’t be happier for the kid. He’s amazing.”

In Sunday’s win over the Crew, Muyl showed both sides to his game. His goal in the 17th minute exhibited his pitbull component, fighting through a crowded penalty area to get the final touch on a set piece served in by Davis. It was vintage Muyl of the past three seasons: Just pure guts and toughness.

Credit to where it's due: Alex Muyl had the opener (thanks to the smallest of touches)! pic.twitter.com/WDnY0mH03x — New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 12, 2018

His second half assist, officially acknowledged by the league as a secondary assist, came after he danced atop the penalty area and turned, nearly taking a shot before finding Tyler Adams open inside the box. Adams then fed Daniel Royer for a 2-0 Red Bulls lead. This is Muyl the attacker, a side that has only come out in recent weeks.

Muyl has made six consecutive starts for the Red Bulls, his growing confidence on the ball a reason why this team streaked down the end of the regular season and lifted the Supporters’ Shield. It is a string of showings that head coach Chris Armas described as showing Muyl has taken “another step forward.”

“I think I’ve said it before and we have said it around here with Alex—he is…we talk about being fearless…it helps if you put guys on the field that are fearless,” Armas said. “Their starting points are that. So he doesn’t back down from the moment and he’s up for it all the time. We have seen that in him for the last few years. Alex also tactically understands how we’re pressing or his specific role and how it fits into the team and it’s just so important.”

The development and growth of Muyl, beyond just being relentless in the pressing game, balances and makes the Red Bulls a more complete team. It is no coincidence that in his big performance in Sunday’s second leg, that the biggest beneficiary of his offensive prowess was Royer.

The Austrian international finished with two goals as Muyl provided much-needed, and longed for, balance on the wing. Heading into a series with dynamic Atlanta United, both sides of Muyl will be needed.

He will need to press and defend high up the field against the league’s most prolific offense. And he’ll need to add something in the final third for the Red Bulls to advance to MLS Cup.

“I think any time you get a run at games, you get more confidence,” Muyl said. “In that sense, yeah. I’m just sticking with my process and trusting myself and, luckily, I was able to make that play at the top of the box. Tyler makes an unbelievable play, as well, to play that first-time to Danny and with him it’s no doubt it’s going in. So, I’m glad to be able to play a part in that goal because it was important to get the second one.”

He will continue to wear Sophia’s T-shirt before home games—and maybe even away games if Sunday’s showing is any indication of its power. Muyl can be a touch cocky at times, a player who seems to love being a protagonist on the pitch. His gruff voice suddenly turns quiet and introspective when he talks about his young friend.

The two stay in touch often, and he says the shirt is more than a good luck charm, but a reminder of a life altering relationship.

“She’s a real hero, a real special kid,” Muyl said. “Putting this on is a reminder of that. I’m so honored to wear this for her. She said she is a fan of me and this team—well, I’m a fan of hers. I’m her biggest fan.”

(Top photo: Mike Lawrence/New York Red Bulls)