Michael Joseph Boxall

Michael Joseph Boxall is a New Zealand defender born in Auckland in 1988. He developed at Mount Albert Grammar School before playing college football for UC Santa Barbara, where he earned Big West Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. Boxall began his professional career with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011 after being selected first overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft. After leaving Vancouver, he returned home to play for Wellington Phoenix from 2012 to 2015, gaining experience across the defense. He then joined South Africa’s SuperSport United, helping the club win back-to-back Nedbank Cups. In July 2017, Boxall signed for Minnesota United, where his height, aerial defending and dependable positioning made him a long-term central figure. By 2024, he was the club’s all-time leader in appearances and minutes, while remaining involved with New Zealand.