Anthony Marcucci Bio
Anthony Marcucci Jr., commonly known as AJ Marcucci, is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Born on August 31, 1999, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Marcucci has built a reputation as a reliable shot-stopper through standout performances at the collegiate and professional levels. Selected in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, he became the first player ever drafted from Connecticut College and the first Division III selection since 2016.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Marcucci developed his game in the Philadelphia-area soccer scene before moving to college soccer at Connecticut College, where he set school records and earned national recognition. After beginning his professional career with New York Red Bulls II in the USL Championship, he transitioned to the senior MLS roster and later completed a loan spell abroad with IF Gnistan in Finland’s Veikkausliiga.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Marcucci Jr. was born on August 31, 1999, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia with a strong youth soccer culture. Growing up in this environment gave Marcucci early access to competitive club soccer and allowed him to develop his goalkeeping skills against high-level opposition from a young age.
Marcucci attended the Episcopal Academy, a private school in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where he played soccer throughout his high school years. The academy’s strong athletic tradition provided a stable setting for him to refine his technique and build the physical and tactical foundation that would later define his career.
Outside of high school soccer, Marcucci joined the Penn Fusion Soccer Academy, one of the most respected youth development programs in the region. He remained part of Penn Fusion until 2017, training alongside some of the top young players in the Mid-Atlantic region and competing in elite youth competitions.
Path to Soccer
Marcucci’s progression through the youth ranks was marked by steady improvement and consistent performance between the posts. His time at Penn Fusion allowed him to gain exposure to professional-level coaching and high-stakes matches, preparing him for the next stage of his development.
In 2017, Marcucci committed to Connecticut College, a Division III program in New London, Connecticut, to continue his soccer career at the collegiate level. The decision provided him with a platform to compete regularly and showcase his abilities on a national stage.
While balancing his college commitments, Marcucci also gained senior-level experience with West Chester United of the National Premier Soccer League during their 2019 season. A planned 2020 stint with the club in USL League Two was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the earlier exposure helped bridge the gap between college soccer and the professional ranks.
Anthony Marcucci Career
Connecticut College Years (2017–2019)
Marcucci enrolled at Connecticut College in 2017 and immediately established himself as the Camels’ starting goalkeeper. Over three seasons, he appeared in 54 of the team’s 55 matches, with the 2020 season ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His durability and consistency set him apart from his peers in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
By the end of his college career, Marcucci had set a Connecticut College record with 25 shutouts while posting an .887 save percentage and a 0.50 goals-against average. His performances earned him NCAA All-America First Team honors from both the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com in 2018 and 2019, along with the NESCAC Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and the NESCAC Player of the Year award in 2018.
New York Red Bulls II (2021–2024)
Marcucci’s professional journey began on January 21, 2021, when he was selected 67th overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. He signed with the organization’s USL Championship affiliate, New York Red Bulls II, on April 15, 2021, and made his debut on May 14, 2021, in a 1–0 loss to the Miami FC. Four days later, on May 18, 2021, he earned his first professional victory with a 2–1 result over Loudoun United.
On September 11, 2021, Marcucci was promoted to the New York Red Bulls first-team roster in Major League Soccer. Over the following seasons with Red Bulls II, he continued to refine his game and gain valuable match experience in the second tier of American professional soccer.
New York Red Bulls First Team and IF Gnistan Loan (2021–2025)
On July 21, 2024, Marcucci was loaned to Finnish Veikkausliiga club IF Gnistan for the remainder of the calendar year. He debuted the following day, saving a penalty in stoppage time to help secure a 2–2 away draw against Inter Turku. During his loan spell, Marcucci made 14 appearances, kept five clean sheets, and helped guide Gnistan through the relegation round and into the Conference League play-offs, where the club reached the semifinals.
Marcucci returned to the New York Red Bulls for the 2025 season and made his MLS debut on March 22, 2025, starting in a 2–1 victory over Toronto FC. The appearance marked the next milestone in his progression from collegiate standout to established professional goalkeeper.
Playing Style and Strengths
Marcucci is a technically sound, positionally disciplined goalkeeper with strong shot-stopping instincts. His height of 6 feet 3 inches gives him a commanding presence in the penalty area, while his composure in high-pressure situations has been evident during his time with West Chester United, New York Red Bulls II, and IF Gnistan. He has also shown a willingness to contribute in build-up phases, reflecting the modern demands placed on goalkeepers at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Marcucci’s career has been defined by several firsts and breakthrough moments. He became the first player drafted from Connecticut College and the first Division III selection since 2016 when the New York Red Bulls chose him in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. His penalty save on debut for IF Gnistan and his subsequent run to the Conference League play-off semifinals stand out as defining achievements during his time in Finland.
Anthony Marcucci Career Highlights
Across his time at Connecticut College, New York Red Bulls II, IF Gnistan, and the New York Red Bulls first team, Marcucci has compiled a growing list of accomplishments. His combination of collegiate records, professional debuts, and contributions to club success abroad reflects a steady upward trajectory in his career.
Connecticut College Highlights
Marcucci recorded a Connecticut College record 25 shutouts across his three seasons with the Camels. He was named NCAA All-America First Team by both the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com in 2018 and 2019, claimed the NESCAC Rookie of the Year award in 2017, and earned the NESCAC Player of the Year award in 2018.
Professional Performances
In the professional ranks, Marcucci earned his first senior team victory on May 18, 2021, with New York Red Bulls II and helped guide IF Gnistan to the Conference League play-off semifinals during his loan spell in 2024. His MLS debut for the New York Red Bulls came on March 22, 2025, in a victory over Toronto FC.
Anthony Marcucci Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Anthony Marcucci Jr. was raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he developed his early passion for soccer. Details about his parents and immediate family have not been publicly confirmed beyond his connection to the local youth soccer community.
Personal Life
Marcucci has kept much of his personal life private. There is no publicly available confirmed information regarding a spouse, children, or current residence beyond his professional ties to the New York Red Bulls organization.
2025 Season Performance
Marcucci returned to the New York Red Bulls ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign following a successful loan spell at IF Gnistan. He was officially added to the first-team roster and prepared for the new season with the experience gained from 14 appearances and five clean sheets in Finland’s top flight.
On March 22, 2025, Marcucci made his MLS debut for the New York Red Bulls, starting in a 2–1 home victory over Toronto FC. The performance marked a significant milestone in his professional journey and signaled his readiness to compete for regular minutes at the highest level of American club soccer.
Looking ahead, Marcucci is expected to compete for a role within the New York Red Bulls goalkeeping unit as the 2025 season progresses. His recent experience in a competitive European league, combined with his collegiate pedigree and prior time with Red Bulls II, positions him as a depth option capable of contributing when called upon.