Homegrown Talent: Five Famous Soccer Players from Mississippi
Mississippi’s association with American football runs deep, but while the Magnolia State is a hotbed for emerging gridiron talent, the region has also been cultivating a growing soccer culture.
From Major League Soccer (MLS) regulars to promising international prospects, players with potential have been produced on fields from Tupelo to Ocean Springs, Jackson to Clinton and beyond.
As the sport’s following continues to grow right across the USA, the production line in Mississippi is likely to speed up. Alongside soccer’s rise in the state, betting on the sport has also become a more popular pastime with people spending more time researching odds and markets for their favourite teams in the United States and Europe.
Indeed, betting with mobile apps has played a significant role in bringing fans closer to the action, and soccer players from Mississippi are likely to feature more and more on sportsbooks as they emerge. Let’s take a closer look at some of the players that will inspire the next generation of Mississippi footballers.
Marlon Hairston
Born in Jackson, Marlon Hairston was a college player with the University of Louisville before he was selected in the first round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids.
Known for his acceleration and versatility, Hairston went on to represent Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United, and Columbus Crew in the MLS, making around 150 appearances across this impressive career. Hairston also represented the USA U23 national team once in 2014.
Justin Mapp
Arguably the most famous soccer player from Mississippi, Brandon’s Justin Mapp was an eight-times capped USA international between 2005 and 2007. Mapp started his pro career at the age of just 17 with D.C United, though he forged his reputation with Chicago Fire.
The gifted winger was a two-time Open Cup winner in the Windy City (2003 and 2006), while he was also named in the MLS Best XI for 2006. Mapp went on to represent Philadelphia Union with distinction, while he was also part of the USA squad that won the CONCAF Gold Cup in 2007.
Mapp finished his career north of the border with Montreal Impact where he won Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014 before hanging up his boots at the end of the 2017 season.
Raúl González
Hailing from Ocean Springs, Raul Gonzalez came up through the ranks at Gulf Coast United and the IMG Academy before making a name for himself at College level with Memphis Tigers.
The technically talented midfielder was a regular with Des Moines Menace before signing a professional deal with USL side Richmond Kickers in 2017.
Gonzáles moved back to Tennessee with Memphis 901 FC ahead of the 2019 campaign, where his performance earned him a call-up to the Puerto Rico national team. The schemer won six international caps in 2021.
Kellen Gulley
Kellen Gulley, who was born in Clinton, was considered a red-hot prospect when he emerged as a gifted teenager in 2009. The forward honed his skills with the IMG Academy in Florida and represented the national team in the USA U17 side nine times between 2009 and 2010, scoring four goals.
Gulley signed a contract with Chicago Fire in 2011 and had a brief first-team fling in a friendly game against Mexican outfit Chivas the same year before he moved to the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2013. Gulley eventually settled back in his home state with Mississippi Brilla, however, he fell foul of the law shortly after and is currently incarcerated in the Issaquena County Correctional Facility in Mayersville.
Marcus Epps
Another Jackson native, Marcus Epps has enjoyed an excellent career and has played top-level soccer in the United States for more than a decade.
The winger played his college ball with the University of Florida where he quickly attracted attention through his dynamic displays. Epps was drafted by MLS club Philadelphia Union in the 2017 SuperDraft and was a regular on the flank for Philly before turning out for New York Red Bulls, Memphis 901 FC and Phoenix Rising FC.
Following his release from the NY Red Bulls in 2019, Epps landed at Portland with the Timbers second string and he stayed there until 2021, when he moved to San Antonio FC. A stint at FC Tulsa followed, though Epps is now plying his trade with Hartford Athletic in Connecticut.
