Portland Hearts of Pine and Bobby Murphy A "Match Made In Heaven"
Da Luz: "I think anybody who's played for him will tell you that they would run through a brick wall for him.”
Portland Hearts of Pine and Bobby Murphy are a “match made in heaven,” according to former professional soccer player Austin Da Luz.
Da Luz has known Murphy since he was 16 when he traded North Carolina for Texas to attend St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
The move was a risk, but conversations with Murphy put the family at ease.
“They never, ever, ever would have even considered that if Bobby hadn't been the person that they were handing me over to,” Da Luz told The Blazing Musket. “He just had this ability to connect right away and to create such a strong sense of trust that I know my parents felt, too. My dad still keeps in touch with Bobby to this day.”
Da Luz noted that Murphy was in a unique situation as the director of a boarding school, a position he held for 13 years.
Of course he was there to help them develop as players, but he was also responsible for helping them grow as people.
Da Luz admitted he arrived at the academy as a “bit of a shithead,” often getting into arguments with referees. Murphy, who was his coach, provided guidance while not letting him off the hook.
“I ended up getting into a little bit of trouble in club soccer,” Da Luz said. “I got a run of red cards in a very short period of time, and I actually ended up getting banned from US Youth Soccer.
“I had to go through this whole process of going through a panel to get reinstated. And Bobby, he was there every step of the way and supported me. But also in such a unique Bobby way, he was able to hold me accountable without making me hate him. So I just always wanted to do well for him.”
Murphy’s ability to understand players is what makes him stand out, according to Da Luz.
“He's there to support you as a person and push you to be the best person and player that you can be,” Da Luz said.
After leaving St. Stephen’s, Murphy worked at Orlando City SC of MLS, Rio Grande Valley FC of the USL Championship, and Union Omaha of USL League One. He was most recently the head coach of St. Louis CITY2 of MLS NEXT Pro.
Whether he was coaching Kaka or a young player, Murphy continued to build connections.
“No matter where he's been throughout his career; that trust is there,” Da Luz said. “It's relationships first.”
As such, it makes sense that Murphy will serve as the inaugural head coach and sporting director for a club with the mantra “Lead With Your Heart.”
While Hearts haven’t made any player announcements yet, Murphy has already started building relationships with the local soccer community.
After speaking to reporters and fans at Allagash Brewing Company, the head coach went to the infamous Kennedy Park to watch some local soccer.
Moments like these are what makes Murphy and Hearts a perfect match.
“From what I've seen from Hearts of Pine and what they're about, I think they get it that soccer is about creating connections,” Da Luz explained. “It's about connecting with people and creating a community and connecting with players. And I think Bobby just totally embodies that and understands that.”
Of course, there’s the on-field component as well.
It’s been some time since Da Luz has played under Murphy, but he remembers him as a coach who likes to “create an entertaining product, and he wants to give fans a reason to keep coming back.”
Da Luz enjoyed playing for Murphy and he believes Hearts players will as well.
“I think what I loved about Bobby as a coach when I was a 16-year-old that I think really translates so well to the professional game is that when we were kids, he didn't treat us like kids. He treated us like peers, almost,” Da Luz said.
“He always puts the person first. So he always wanted to know how we were doing as people before soccer even came into the conversation. And I think for pros, that's so important because you're seen as a player by everybody.
“Externally, all you're seen as is a player. They don't see the person behind that often. And so Bobby, I think, does a really good job of treating you as a person and getting to know you and understanding where you're coming from before even talking about what's happening on the pitch.
“And I think the bonus is that he's an incredible coach, and he knows the game. And he's able to put all that together. And it's just a perfect recipe for a guy that I think anybody who's played for him will tell you that they would run through a brick wall for him.”