Paul Marie Bio
Paul Marie (born 24 March 1995) is a French professional footballer who plays as a right-back for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship, on loan from Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. Standing at 173 centimeters tall, Marie is known for his offensive approach from the right-back position and his ability to read the game. He is currently on loan for the remainder of the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, continuing his development in American soccer.
Early Life and Background
Paul Marie was born on 24 March 1995 in Saint-Aubin-des-Bois, a small commune in France. Growing up in this rural community, Marie developed an early interest in football and began honing his skills as a young player. Like many aspiring French footballers, he came up through local youth setups before deciding to take his career path in an unconventional direction.
As a teenager, Marie made the significant decision to leave France and move to the United States to pursue higher education while continuing to develop as a footballer. This move marked a turning point in his life, blending academic growth with competitive soccer at the collegiate level. His French roots and small-town upbringing helped shape his grounded approach to the game, and he carried those values with him as he transitioned to American college soccer.
Path to Soccer
Marie began his American soccer journey at Newberry College in 2014, where he played one season of Division II soccer for the Newberry Wolves. During his time with the Wolves, he made sixteen appearances, scoring four goals and adding one assist. His contributions on the field earned him an all-South Atlantic Conference honorable mention, signaling his potential as an attacking full-back.
In 2015, Marie transferred to Florida International University, where he studied sports management. He went on to play three seasons of Division I soccer for the FIU Panthers, registering an impressive fourteen goals and fourteen assists across fifty-two appearances. During his senior season in 2017, Marie recorded eight goals and six assists in seventeen appearances, performances that earned him Third Team All-America honors, First Team All-Southeast Region recognition, and First Team All-Conference USA accolades.
Paul Marie Career
Early Career (2013-2014)
Paul Marie began his senior playing career in 2013 with Caen II, the reserve side of the French club Stade Malherbe Caen. He spent the 2013 to 2014 period developing his game in the French reserve system, gaining valuable experience as a young defender. This early period laid the foundation for his transition to college soccer in the United States.
During his time with Caen II, Marie showcased the technical qualities and offensive instincts that would later define his style. Although reserve team football in France offered a different environment than what he would encounter in America, the experience helped him sharpen his defensive awareness and build the confidence to take on new challenges abroad.
Reading United and Collegiate Years (2015-2017)
From 2015 to 2017, Marie was listed with Reading United, a development side connected to American soccer’s lower divisions. While at Reading United, he simultaneously pursued his collegiate career at Newberry College and later Florida International University. This dual pathway allowed him to gain experience in a semi-professional environment while continuing to grow as a student-athlete.
His standout senior year at FIU in 2017, with eight goals and six assists, drew the attention of Major League Soccer scouts. The combination of his technical ability, offensive instincts, and tactical awareness made him one of the most intriguing prospects entering the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Reading United provided a competitive platform that helped bridge the gap between college soccer and the professional ranks.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2018-2025)
On 10 January 2018, Paul Marie was selected 12th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes during the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. San Jose general manager Jesse Fioranelli praised Marie as an offensive-minded outside back with technical qualities and strong game-reading ability, which motivated the club’s decision to make him their first draft pick. He was officially signed by the Earthquakes on 16 March 2018 and immediately loaned to their USL affiliate, Reno 1868 FC, alongside fellow SuperDraft picks Danny Musovski and Mohamed Thiaw.
Marie spent the 2018 season with Reno 1868 FC, continuing his development in the USL. He returned to the San Jose Earthquakes organization and eventually featured for The Town FC in 2025 before his most recent move. Over the course of his time with the San Jose organization, Marie established himself as a reliable right-back with a knack for contributing to the attack from defensive positions.
Tampa Bay Rowdies Era (2025-Present)
On 29 August 2025, Paul Marie joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move provided Marie with an opportunity to secure regular playing time and contribute to a competitive USL Championship campaign. Tampa Bay, one of the historic clubs in American lower-division soccer, offered a strong platform for Marie to showcase his abilities.
Marie joined the Rowdies looking to make an impact on the right flank with his attacking runs and crossing ability. The loan arrangement allowed San Jose to monitor his progress while giving Marie the chance to play consistent minutes in a competitive environment. His arrival added depth and experience to the Tampa Bay defensive unit as the club pushed toward the latter stages of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Paul Marie is recognized as an offensive-minded right-back who combines technical quality with intelligent game reading. His ability to contribute in the final third, demonstrated by his goal and assist numbers at Florida International University, sets him apart from more traditional defensive full-backs. Marie’s strengths lie in his positioning, crossing, and willingness to join attacks while maintaining defensive responsibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments in Marie’s career came when he was selected 12th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, becoming the club’s first pick of that draft class. His senior season at FIU in 2017, which included Third Team All-America honors, served as the springboard to professional soccer. His loan to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in August 2025 marked another significant chapter, reflecting his ongoing journey through American professional soccer.
Paul Marie Career Wins
Throughout his professional and collegiate career, Paul Marie has built a reputation as a competitive right-back with a strong offensive contribution. While individual award totals at the professional level are not extensively documented, his collegiate accolades at Florida International University stand out as some of the most notable honors of his career to date.
Conference USA and Collegiate Highlights
During his senior season at Florida International University in 2017, Marie earned First Team All-Conference USA honors, highlighting his dominance at the college level. He also received First Team All-Southeast Region recognition and Third Team All-America honors from the same campaign. Earlier, at Newberry College, he earned an all-South Atlantic Conference honorable mention, marking the beginning of his award-winning trajectory in American college soccer.
Other Performances
Beyond his collegiate achievements, Marie has contributed consistently at the professional level with San Jose Earthquakes, Reno 1868 FC, The Town FC, and Tampa Bay Rowdies. His performances in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer have showcased his adaptability and continued growth as a right-back in American soccer.
Paul Marie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Paul Marie was born and raised in Saint-Aubin-des-Bois, France, where he developed his early passion for football. Details about his parents and extended family remain private and have not been publicly disclosed in verified sources.
Personal Life
Marie moved from France to the United States as a teenager to attend college, a decision that shaped both his personal and professional life. He studied sports management at Florida International University, reflecting his interest in the broader business of athletics. Information about his spouse, children, or current residence is not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Paul Marie, beginning with a stint at The Town FC as part of the San Jose Earthquakes organization. His performances there contributed to his development as a right-back before the loan move presented a new opportunity late in the campaign.
On 29 August 2025, Marie joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move allowed him to compete for a strong USL Championship side and showcase his abilities in a new environment. With Tampa Bay pushing forward in the season, Marie’s role on the right flank will be an important factor in the team’s defensive structure and attacking transitions.
Looking ahead, Marie’s loan spell with the Rowdies offers a chance to build momentum heading into the next phase of his career. Whether he returns to San Jose or attracts interest from other clubs, his 2025 performances will play a key role in shaping his future in professional soccer.