Danny Musovski
Daniel Musovski (born November 30, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC.[1] Born in Henderson, Nevada, Musovski rose to prominence during his college career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he established himself as one of the top scorers in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).[2] Over four seasons with the UNLV Rebels from 2014 to 2017, he tallied 47 goals and 23 assists in 88 appearances, leading the team with standout performances including 15 goals and six assists in his senior year.[1] His college accolades include two WAC Offensive Player of the Year awards (2015, 2017), two WAC Tournament MVP honors (2014, 2016), and selections to the All-WAC First Team three times (2015–2017), along with NSCAA Second Team All-American recognition in 2015.[2] Musovski began his professional career in 2018 with USL Championship side Reno 1868 FC, an affiliate of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC, where he scored seven goals in 19 appearances during his debut season and added 11 more goals the following year across 25 matches.[1] He made his MLS debut with LAFC in 2020, contributing five goals and one assist in 17 appearances, and continued with the club through 2022, accumulating 13 goals and six assists in 61 regular-season games while also featuring on loan with USL side Las Vegas Lights FC.[1] In 2023, Musovski joined Real Salt Lake, where he enjoyed a breakout campaign with nine goals and five assists in 34 appearances, contributing to a playoff appearance.[1] He signed with Seattle Sounders FC as a free agent on February 1, 2024, to a two-year contract through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026.[3] Since joining Seattle, Musovski has become a key contributor to the team's attack, scoring one goal in limited action (24 appearances, 4 starts) during the 2024 MLS regular season before exploding for a career-high 14 goals and four assists in 31 appearances in 2025, earning him the Sounders FC Golden Boot as the team's top scorer.[4] He added two goals and one assist in three playoff matches during the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, bringing his career MLS regular-season totals to 37 goals and 16 assists across 150 appearances as of November 2025.[5] Known for his clinical finishing and versatility as a centre-forward, Musovski has also notched notable braces in U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup competitions throughout his career.[1]Early life and college career
Early life and education
Danny Musovski was born on November 30, 1995, in Henderson, Nevada, to father George Musovski. He spent the majority of his childhood as a longtime Southern Nevadan resident.[2] Musovski displayed an early aptitude for soccer, with his father recalling that at age four, he scored 13 goals in his first recreational league game. He honed his skills in local youth programs, joining the Las Vegas Sports Academy, where his team won seven state titles, and later gaining semi-professional experience with the Las Vegas Mobsters during high school.[6] Musovski attended Liberty High School in Henderson, where he excelled in soccer, setting Nevada high school large-school records with 58 goals in a single season (2013) and 128 career goals, and was named the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year and Las Vegas Review-Journal Soccer Athlete of the Year as a junior in 2013. While specific academic achievements from high school are not widely documented, his pre-college focus centered on athletic development through structured training and competitive play.[7][2]College career at UNLV
Danny Musovski enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2014, where he played four seasons for the UNLV Rebels men's soccer team from 2014 to 2017, appearing in 88 matches and scoring 47 goals overall.[2][1] As a freshman in 2014, Musovski recorded 6 goals and 6 assists for 18 points in 22 appearances (16 starts), including 2 game-winning goals, contributing to the Rebels' WAC Tournament championship win, where he was named MVP.[2] In his sophomore year of 2015, he emerged as a standout, tallying 14 goals and 6 assists for 34 points with 7 game-winners, leading the WAC in points and earning recognition as the first sophomore in UNLV history to receive All-American honors.[2] During his junior season in 2016, Musovski added 12 goals and 6 assists for 30 points, featuring 3 multi-goal games and 3 game-winners, while helping the team secure another WAC Tournament title as MVP.[2][1] In 2017, as a senior, Musovski posted 15 goals and 6 assists despite missing 4 games due to suspension, starting all 17 of his appearances and leading the WAC in points, goals, goals per game, and points per game.[2][8] His performance included three game-winning goals and earned him national player of the week honors after a standout WAC Tournament showing with two goals, two assists, and one game-winner.[2] Musovski's accolades at UNLV included two-time All-America selections (NSCAA Second Team in 2015 and United Soccer Coaches Third Team in 2017), WAC Offensive Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2017, First Team All-WAC each year from 2015 to 2017, and two WAC Tournament MVP awards (2014 and 2016).[2] He was also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List in 2016 and 2017, and received multiple NSCAA All-Region honors, including in 2014 and 2015.[2][9][10] Throughout his college career, Musovski was a key offensive force for the Rebels, ranking among UNLV's all-time leaders in goals and points upon graduation, and his contributions helped the team achieve back-to-back WAC Tournament titles in 2014 and 2016.[2][1] Academically, he majored in management.[2]Professional career
Reno 1868 FC (2018–2019)
Musovski was selected 30th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and signed a professional contract with the club on March 1, 2018.[11] Despite his strong college scoring record at UNLV, which contributed to his draft selection, Musovski did not make any first-team appearances for the Earthquakes in Major League Soccer during the 2018 season.[12] He was immediately loaned to the club's USL Championship affiliate, Reno 1868 FC, where he began his professional career.[11] During his 2018 loan spell with Reno 1868 FC, Musovski made 19 appearances across all competitions, including 10 starts, and recorded 7 goals and 1 assist in 882 minutes played.[8] His debut came as a substitute in a 3–4 loss to Swope Park Rangers on March 17, 2018, and he quickly adapted to the professional level, showcasing his finishing ability with notable contributions such as a brace off the bench in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup second round against the Portland Timbers U-23 on May 16.[1] These performances earned him USL Player of the Week honors for Week 7 after scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to secure a 2–1 victory over Portland Timbers 2 on April 21.[13] Following the 2018 season, the Earthquakes declined Musovski's contract option, and he signed a permanent deal with Reno 1868 FC on January 17, 2019.[14] In 2019, he appeared in 25 matches (14 starts) for Reno, scoring 11 goals and providing 1 assist in regular-season play, while also starting and playing 81 minutes in a U.S. Open Cup match.[1] His goal-scoring prowess was evident in key moments, such as his 11th goal of the season on October 2 against Portland Timbers 2, which helped Reno secure a 2–1 win and highlighted his transition from collegiate standout to reliable professional forward.[15] Musovski was released by Reno at the conclusion of the 2019 USL Championship season.[16]Los Angeles FC (2020–2022)
Musovski signed with Los Angeles FC on December 10, 2019, ahead of the 2020 MLS season following his time with Reno 1868 FC.[16] He made his MLS debut on July 13, 2020, as a substitute in a 3–3 draw against Houston Dynamo FC during the MLS is Back Tournament.[8] In his rookie 2020 season, Musovski appeared in 15 MLS matches for LAFC, starting six and logging 629 minutes, while scoring five goals and providing one assist.[8] His breakout performance came on October 11, 2020, when he scored a brace and added an assist in a 3–1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC, earning him MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 17.[17] Over his full tenure with LAFC from 2020 to 2022, Musovski made 53 MLS appearances, scoring 11 goals. To gain additional playing time, he was loaned to LAFC's USL Championship affiliate, Las Vegas Lights FC, for spells in 2021 and 2022, where he recorded 15 appearances and five goals.[18] On August 3, 2022, LAFC traded Musovski to Real Salt Lake in exchange for $250,000 in general allocation money.[19]Real Salt Lake (2022–2023)
On August 3, 2022, Real Salt Lake acquired Danny Musovski from Los Angeles FC in exchange for $250,000 in general allocation money, allocated as $150,000 for the 2022 season and $100,000 for 2023.[19] The 26-year-old forward, known for his versatility as a striker or winger, joined RSL to bolster the attacking options under head coach Pablo Mastroeni, bringing his pace and finishing ability to a squad pushing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.[20] Musovski's integration into the RSL squad was gradual following the midseason trade. In the remainder of the 2022 MLS regular season, he made three substitute appearances, totaling 45 minutes without recording a goal or assist, as he adapted to the team's system amid a tight schedule.[21] His role evolved in 2023, where he became a more regular presence in the lineup, featuring in 24 regular-season matches with 14 starts and 1,207 minutes played. During this campaign, he contributed 5 goals and 0 assists, including key strikes such as the opener in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on May 20, a goal in a 2-3 loss to LA Galaxy on May 31, and a late equalizer against Sporting Kansas City in a 2-2 draw on July 12.[5][22] These performances helped RSL secure a strong third-place finish in the West with 59 points. In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Musovski appeared in two matches for 5 minutes without recording a goal or assist as the team was eliminated in the first round by Seattle Sounders FC.[5] Musovski also saw limited action with RSL's MLS Next Pro affiliate, Real Monarchs, logging three appearances and one assist in 242 minutes during 2022, primarily to maintain match fitness post-trade.[23] He contributed two goals in the 2023 Leagues Cup, including a brace against Club León on August 4.[24] However, late in the 2023 season, tensions arose when he was sidelined from training and matchday squads for several weeks amid stalled contract extension talks as his deal neared expiration. At the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Real Salt Lake declined Musovski's contract option, allowing him to enter free agency; he later signed with the Seattle Sounders FC ahead of the 2024 season.Seattle Sounders FC (2024–present)
Musovski signed with Seattle Sounders FC as a free agent on February 1, 2024, agreeing to a contract through the end of the 2025 season with a club option for 2026.[3] In his debut season, he made 30 appearances across all competitions, primarily as a substitute, while scoring two goals and providing one assist.[25] His limited role reflected an adjustment period following prior MLS experience with Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake. The 2025 season marked a significant evolution for Musovski, transitioning from a rotational forward to a key attacking figure and the team's leading scorer with 14 goals in Major League Soccer play.[18] Across all competitions, he accumulated 18 goals in 63 total appearances for Seattle, contributing both in the regular season—where he started 18 matches—and in playoff efforts that advanced the team to the postseason.[26] A pivotal milestone came on August 24, 2025, when Musovski netted his first MLS hat trick in a 5–2 victory over Sporting Kansas City, scoring three goals including a penalty kick to secure the win.[27] This performance earned him MLS Player of the Matchday honors for Matchday 30, highlighting his efficiency with a league-fourth ranking of 0.88 goals per 90 minutes at that point.[28] Seattle Sounders FC enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign under Musovski's contributions, finishing the regular season with a 15–9–10 record before their playoff run, culminating in an overall all-competitions tally of 23 wins, 13 losses, and 14 draws.[29] His emergence as a reliable goal threat bolstered the forward line, aiding the team's depth in multiple tournaments including the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup. As of November 2025, Musovski's contract remains active through December 31, with the club option positioning him for potential continued tenure in 2026.[30]Personal life
Macedonian heritage
Danny Musovski was born in Henderson, Nevada, to parents of Macedonian descent, giving him eligibility to represent the North Macedonia national team.[31] In 2020, Musovski publicly committed to playing for North Macedonia, a decision facilitated by his parents' possession of Macedonian documents, allowing him to obtain a passport.[32] Despite this, he has not yet made his international debut as of November 2025. Musovski has highlighted Macedonia as his favorite travel destination, reflecting an affinity for the cultural homeland of his family.[8] His choice to embrace North Macedonian representation underscores a deliberate tie to his ancestral community.[32]Family and relationships
Danny Musovski was born to parents George and Silvana Musovski.[2] He has a younger brother, Adam, who played soccer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas during Danny's college years.[2] In April 2025, Musovski announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Nikki Klassen, sharing the news amid a surge in his on-field performance with the Seattle Sounders FC.[33] The couple resides in Seattle, where Musovski has settled following his move to the Sounders in 2024.[4] Outside of soccer, Musovski maintains an interest in chess, a hobby he picked up in elementary school and which he has credited with sharpening his strategic thinking on the field.[34] Post-engagement, he has balanced his personal milestones with professional success.[4]Career statistics
Major League Soccer
Musovski's Major League Soccer career spans multiple teams, with his statistical contributions tracked separately for regular season and playoffs. The following tables summarize his appearances, starts, goals, and assists in MLS regular season play, drawn from official league records.[5]MLS Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | Appearances (GP) | Starts (GS) | Goals (G) | Assists (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | LAFC | 15 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 2021 | LAFC | 22 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 2022 | LAFC | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | Real Salt Lake | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Real Salt Lake | 24 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | Seattle Sounders FC | 24 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Seattle Sounders FC | 31 | 16 | 14 | 4 |
| Total | 135 | 51 | 31 | 10 |
USL Championship
Musovski began his professional career in the USL Championship with Reno 1868 FC, where he established himself as a prolific scorer before loans to Las Vegas Lights FC.[23]| Season | Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Reno 1868 FC | 17 | 5 | 0 | 794 |
| 2019 | Reno 1868 FC | 23 | 11 | 1 | 1,226 |
| 2021 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 12 | 5 | 2 | 829 |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 242 |