An immediate contributor for Atlanta United, Gressel, 25, won MLS Rookie of the Year after appearing in in 32 matches with 24 starts in 2017. Drafted with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Gressel scored five goals and added nine assists, the third-highest tally ever for a rookie. Gressel remained one of the mainstays in Atlanta United’s starting lineup in 2018. He started all 33 games he played in during the regular season, while also playing the full 90 minutes in each of the five MLS Cup Playoff matches for Atlanta. The German midfielder scored four goals and had 14 assists, which was tied for the team-lead with Miguel Almirón. In his third season with Atlanta, the German midfielder was once again a mainstay in the lineup, proving his versatility under new coach Frank de Boer. He finished the year with 12 assists and a career-best six goals. He tallied his first two career MLS Cup Playoff goals as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.
2019 (Atlanta United): Continued his great run with another double-digit assist campaign in 2019. He finished the season with 12 assists, while also contributing a career-high six goals offensive. Deployed in multiple positions throughout the season, Gressel played 33 matches (31 starts) and logged 2693 minutes. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice, while also scoring the MLS Goal of the Week on two occasions. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started all three playoff matches in 2019. He tallied his first career postseason goal on 10/24 in a 2-0 win vs. Philadelphia. Gressel also scored in the 2-1 Eastern Conference Final loss against Toronto FC a week later. US Open Cup: The German made three appearances in Atlanta United’s title winning run in the Open Cup. He recorded one assist in the competition, in the semifinal win at Orlando City on 8/6. CONCACAF Champions League: Started three of the four matches and scored two goals, including the first-ever CCL goal in Atlanta United history on the road at CS Herediano. Gressel tallied another goal in the return leg as the team advanced to the Quarterfinals of the competition. Campeones Cup: Played the full 90 minutes in Atlanta’s 3-2 victory against Club America to become the first MLS team to hoist the trophy.
2018 (Atlanta United): Gressel followed his MLS Rookie of the Year campaign with an even stronger season in year two. He set new single-season career-highs in games played (33), starts (33), minutes played (2,945) and assists (14). Gressel continued to show his versatility, playing as a winger, a wing back or in central midfield. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week on five occasions. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played the full 90 minutes in all five games during Atlanta United’s run to the MLS Cup trophy. Recorded one assist in the 3-0 first leg victory against New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Championship. US Open Cup: Made one appearance in the Open Cup, playing 28 minutes in the match against Chicago Fire on June 20.Â
2017 (Atlanta United): MLS Rookie of the Year after being selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Made 24 starts and 32 appearances. Scored five goals and registered nine assists, solidifying a spot in the second-highest attach in MLS. MLS Cup Playoffs: Played 120 minutes Oct. 26 against Columbus. US Open Cup: Played 45 minutes against Charleston Battery on June 14. Played 84 minutes and scored against Miami FC on June 28.
College 2013-2016: Atlanta United selected Julian Gressel on Jan. 13 with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. A four-year starter at Providence, Gressel made 83 career appearances while scoring 30 goals and tallying 26 assists. He finished second all-time in Providence history for goals, assists and points. The Germany native was named Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2016), First Team All-Big East (2016), Big East All-Tournament Team (2016, 2015, 2014) and Big East All-Rookie Team (2013). He also helped pilot the Friars to the NCAA Tournament in three of his four seasons, reaching the Semifinals of the NCAA College Cup in 2014. Prior to attending Providence, Gressel played at several German Clubs including TSV Neustadt/Aisch, FC Eintracht Bamberg and SG Quelle Furth.
YOUTH: Before attending Providence, Gressel played one season at TSV Neustadt/Aisch where he scored three goals and had 12 assists. Prior to TSV, he played one season for FC Eintracht Bamberg, where he scored one goal and recorded 10 assists. Gressel also played two seasons for SG Quelle Furth and seven seasons for SpVgg Greuther Furth.
