Julian Gressel

Julian Gressel
Gressel with D.C. United in 2021
Personal information
Full name Julian Emil Kurt Gressel[1]
Date of birth (1993-12-16) December 16, 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Neustadt, Germany
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
Inter Miami
Number 24
Youth career
2002–2009 SpVgg Greuther Fürth
2009–2011 Quelle Fürth
2011–2013 FC Florida
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Providence Friars 83 (30)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 TSV Neustadt/Aisch 25 (3)
2012–2013 Eintracht Bamberg 32 (1)
2017–2019 Atlanta United 98 (15)
2020–2022 D.C. United 71 (4)
2022–2023 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 31 (5)
2023 Columbus Crew 11 (1)
2024– Inter Miami 32 (1)
International career
2023– United States 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 12, 2023

Julian Emil Kurt Gressel (born December 16, 1993) is a professional soccer player who plays as a full-back for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Born in Germany, he represents the United States national team.

He began his career in Germany before moving to the United States in 2011. He then played college soccer for the Providence Friars for four seasons. In 2017, Gressel signed a contract with Major League Soccer and was selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the first round with the eighth overall pick by expansion side Atlanta United.

After his debut season with Atlanta United, Gressel was named the MLS Rookie of the Year for 2017. He then won his first championship, helping Atlanta United win MLS Cup in 2018. He also was part of Atlanta United sides that won the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Prior to the 2020 season, Gressel was traded to D.C. United.

He is a co-host of the PLAYER/MANAGER podcast with American YouTuber and streamer Zealand Shannon.[2]

Club career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Gressel was born in Neustadt. He began his footballing career by playing in the youth academy systems of 2. Bundesliga side, SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2002. In 2009, Gressel left Greuther Fürth and began playing for the academy set-up of Quelle Fürth.[3]

Gressel played senior-level football in the German regional fifth-tier, the Bayernliga. During the 2011–12 Bayernliga, Gressel had one goal and ten assists.[3] The following season, Gressel played for TSV Neustadt/Aisch in the sixth tier, Landesliga Bayern-Nordwest, where Gressel notched three goals and 12 assists during the 2012–13 Landesliga Bayern-Nordwest campaign.[3]

Collegiate

[edit]

Gressel signed a National Letter of Intent before the 2013 NCAA Division I men's soccer season to play for Providence College's men's soccer program. During the 2013 season, Gressel was an immediate starter, starting and playing in all 22 fixtures the Friars played in.[3] Gressel scored on his collegiate debut on August 30, 2013, in a 3–2 victory over Quinnipiac.[4] In his freshman season, the Friars reached the championship match of the 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament, before losing 3–2 against Marquette.[5] The Friars ultimately earned an at-large bid into the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, where they reached the second round before losing to the fifth-seeded, Maryland.[6] Gressel finished his freshman year with five goals and four assists.[7] He was also awarded with a spot on the 2013 All-Big East Conference Second Team, and on the All-Rookie Team.[3]

During his sophomore and junior seasons, Gressel earned honors on the Big East Conference All-Tournament teams for both the 2014 and 2015 editions of the tournaments.[8] Additionally, during his junior season, Gressell earned spots on the NSCAA Third Team All-Great Lakes Region and the Second Team All-Big East Conference.[8]

Gressel had a breakout season during his senior year at Providence. He led the Friars in total points with 36, accumulating 15 goals and six assists his senior year.[9] Gressel was also rewarded with the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals during the 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, during a quarterfinal run which saw Providence beat CAA Champions Delaware,[10] upset top-seeded and Big Ten Champions Maryland,[11] and defeat Big East rivals Creighton.[12] In addition, Gressell was listed an NSCAA First Team All-American and a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy.[13] Gressel additionally earned All-Great Lakes First Team honors,[14] All-Big East Conference First Team honors,[15] part of the 2016 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament's first team,[16] and the All-Tournament team for the Rhode Island Capital City Classic.[3]

Professional

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Atlanta United

[edit]

Ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Gressel signed a senior college contract with Major League Soccer. Per league policy the terms were not disclosed.[17] On January 13, 2017, Gressel was selected by expansion side Atlanta United FC in the first round with the eighth overall pick. Gressel made his professional debut for Atlanta United on March 5 in a 1–2 loss against New York Red Bulls. Gressel won the 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year honors,[18] playing mostly as a central midfielder for manager Tata Martino. In 2018, Gressel was a key player for the MLS Cup Champions, playing mostly as a right midfielder and right wingback. Gressel starting 33 matches and assisting 14 times in league play, forming a key relationship with striker Josef Martinez and becoming one of the best crossers in the league.[19] Gressel contributed to another successful Atlanta in 2019 for new manager Frank de Boer, assisting 12 times.

D.C. United

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Anton Walkes and Julian Gressel, 2017

On January 21, 2020, D.C. United acquired Gressel from Atlanta United for $750,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.[20] Gressel made his debut for D.C. on February 29, 2020, in the season opener against the Colorado Rapids.[21] Gressel scored his first goal for D.C. United on August 29 in a 1–4 loss against the Philadelphia Union.[22] Gressel finished the 2021 season with 13 assists, the third most in the league.[citation needed]

Vancouver Whitecaps

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Gressel playing for D.C. United on August 21, 2020

On July 15, 2022, Gressel was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for up to $900,000 in General Allocation Money.[23]

Columbus Crew

[edit]

On July 21, 2023, Columbus Crew acquired Gressel from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for $550,000 of guaranteed General Allocation Money ($275,000 in 2023 and $275,000 in 2024). Vancouver could receive up to an additional $300,000 in GAM (2024–2026) based on conditional terms of the agreement.[24]

Inter Miami

[edit]

On January 9, 2024, Inter Miami announced that they had signed Gressel as a free agent on a three-year deal with an option for a further year.[25][26] Gressel made his 2024 Inter Miami season debut in a match against Real Salt Lake on February 25, 2024, ending in a 2–0 win.[27]

International career

[edit]

On November 5, 2022, Gressel became a United States citizen.[28] Gressel was called in to the United States Men's National Team in January 2023 by interim manager Anthony Hudson.[29] Gressel started at right back on January 25 against Serbia, assisting former teammate Brandon Vazquez in a 1–2 loss.[30] Gressel was included on the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster for the United States.[31] He made his Gold Cup debut off the bench against St. Kitts and Nevis, before assisting Gianluca Busio as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in the final group stage match.[32] Gressel then started his first ever competitive match in the Gold Cup quarterfinal versus Canada, playing 90 minutes at right-wing as the US ran out as eventual winners on penalties to reach the semi-finals.[33]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played October 19, 2024[34][35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Eintracht Bamberg 2012–13 Regionalliga Bayern 32 1 32 1
Atlanta United 2017 MLS 32 5 2 1 1[b] 0 35 6
2018 MLS 33 4 2 0 5[b] 0 40 4
2019 MLS 33 6 3 0 4[c] 0 3[b] 2 43 8
Total 98 15 7 1 4 0 9 2 118 18
D.C. United 2020 MLS 22 2 22 2
2021 MLS 34 2 34 2
2022 MLS 17 0 0 0 17 0
Total 73 4 0 0 73 4
Vancouver Whitecaps 2022 MLS 13 2 1 0 14 2
2023 MLS 18 3 3 2 3 0 24 5
Total 31 5 4 2 3 0 38 7
Columbus Crew 2023 MLS 11 1 6[d] 0 17 1
Inter Miami 2024 MLS 32 1 4[e] 0 4[f] 0 40 1
Career total 277 27 11 3 11 0 19 2 318 32
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ^ Three appearances in CONCACAF Champions League, one appearance in Campeones Cup
  4. ^ Two appearances in Leagues Cup, four appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
  5. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

[edit]
As of match played July 12, 2023[36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2023 6 0
Total 6 0

Honors

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Atlanta United

Vancouver Whitecaps

Columbus Crew

Inter Miami

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National team roster – 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals: USA" (PDF). CONCACAF. May 19, 2023. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Player Profile: Julian Gressel". Providence Friars. Friars.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  4. ^ "Men's Soccer Defeats Quinnipiac In Home Opener, 3–2". Providence Friars. Friars.com. August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  5. ^ "Providence College vs Marquette (Nov 17, 2013) Box Score". Providence Friars. Friars.com. November 17, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "Terps Advance to 12th Straight NCAA Round of 16". Maryland Terrapins. UMTerps.com. November 24, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  7. ^ "2013 Providence Men's Soccer Cumulative Season Statistics". Providence Friars. Friars.com. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Big East Conference Men's Soccer Record Book" (PDF). Big East Conference. BigEast.com. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  9. ^ "Providence College Men's Soccer 2016 Statistics: Overall Individual Statistics". Providence Friars. Friars.com. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Men's Soccer Advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with 2–0 Win Over Delaware". Providence Friars. Friars.com. November 17, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  11. ^ Goff, Steven (November 20, 2016). "No. 1 seed Terps squander three-goal lead, lose 5–4 in NCAA men's soccer tournament". The Baltimore Sun. tronc. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  12. ^ "Men's Soccer Advances To NCAA Quarterfinals With Victory At Creighton, 2–1". Providence Friars. Friars.com. November 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  13. ^ "Julian Gressel Named 2016 NSCAA First-Team All-American". Providence Friars. Friars.com. December 9, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  14. ^ "2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's All-Great Lakes Region Teams". National Soccer Coaches Association of America. NSCAA.com. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  15. ^ "BIG EAST Announces Men's Soccer Regular Season Awards". Big East Conference. BigEast.com. November 5, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  16. ^ "Butler Wins BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship Title". Big East Conference. November 13, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  17. ^ Stejskal, Sam (January 4, 2017). "MLS announces 2017 Generation adidas class and senior signings". Major League Soccer. MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  18. ^ "Der deutsche Super-Rookie". kicker (in German). November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  19. ^ mlssoccer. "Julian Gressel | MLSsoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "D.C. United acquires Atlanta United Midfielder Julian Gressel for $750,000 in TAM". January 21, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  21. ^ Becherano, Lizzy (February 29, 2020). "D.C. United disappoints in 2020 opener, falling 2–1 to Colorado Rapids". Black & Red United.
  22. ^ "Kacper Przybylko brace helps Philadelphia Union roll past D.C. United". ESPN. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "Whitecaps FC acquire league-leading wingback Julian Gressel". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "Columbus Crew acquire Julian Gressel from Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  25. ^ intermiamicf. "Inter Miami CF Signs Reigning MLS Cup Champion, Versatile USMNT Player Julian Gressel | Inter Miami CF". intermiamicf. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  26. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (January 9, 2024). "Inter Miami sign Julian Gressel in free agency". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  27. ^ Venegas, Mauricio; Franca, Michael (February 22, 2024). "MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns 2-0 Win Over Real Salt Lake in 2024 MLS Home Opener". intermiamicf. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  28. ^ Gressel, Julian [@JulianGressel] (November 5, 2022). "Proud to be an American Citizen 🇺🇸 https://t.co/hl6Ex8uTQ4" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Twenty-Four Players Called For USMNT BioSteel January Training Camp To Kick Off 2026 FIFA World Cup Cycle". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  30. ^ "USMNT vs. Serbia score: Brandon Vazquez scores in debut but Americans fall in first friendly since World Cup". CBSSports.com. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  31. ^ whitecapsfc. "Julian Gressel named to USMNT 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup roster | Vancouver Whitecaps". whitecapsfc. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  32. ^ "USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Match Report, Highlights, Stats". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  33. ^ "USA vs Canada score, result, highlights as USMNT advances to Gold Cup semifinals on penalty shootout". www.sportingnews.com. July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  34. ^ Julian Gressel at Soccerway. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  35. ^ "Julian Gressel » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  36. ^ Julian Gressel at National-Football-Teams.com
  37. ^ Stejskal, Sam (November 8, 2017). "Atlanta midfielder Julian Gressel wins 2017 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  38. ^ "Gressel and Ahmed win awards at 2023 Canadian Championship". Canada Soccer. June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
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