Full name Joshua Gros Height 1.83 m Playing position Education Rutgers University | Name Joshua Gros Position Midfielder Role Soccer player | |
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Date of birth (1982-06-25) June 25, 1982 (age 33) Place of birth Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States 1996-2000 Cumberland Valley High School 2000–2003 Rutgers Scarlet Knights | ||
Joshua Gros (born June 25, 1982 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) is a retired American soccer player.
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Gros is currently the team coordinator for the Philadelphia Union, a Major League Soccer team. He was hired on June 11, 2009 under head coach Piotr Nowak. Nowak coached Gros on the 2004 MLS Cup-Champion D.C. United team.
College
Gros played college soccer at Rutgers University from 2000 to 2003. As a freshman, Gros started 15 matches and led the team with seven assists. Although he moved into a consistent starting role as a sophomore, he only registered three points, all on assists. Upon moving to the offensive midfield as a junior, Gros's production increased sharply and he finished the year with six goals and one assist. Gros far bettered this as a senior, finishing the year with 16 goals and five assists, and was named the Big East offensive player of the year. He was also chosen to National Player of the Week on September 22, 2003, by College Soccer News. During his professional career, however, Gros gradually took on a more defensive role.
Professional
Gros was selected 34th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, and immediately impressed during preseason, earning himself a spot on the regular season lineup. Gros intended to join the Marine Corps had he not made the team. However, he did make the team, and soon his work rate earned him a surprise spot in the D.C. starting lineup. Gros seized this opportunity. His excellent, determined play made him a starter for much of the year, playing midfield on either wing or left back. He finished the year with 21 starts and 2087 minutes, in which he scored a goal and notched four assists. Gros continued to start for United throughout the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 2006, he was named an MLS All-Star and played the entire All-Star Game against Chelsea.
In the 2007 MLS season, Gros started and played in 21 games for United, despite having suffered numerous head traumas. Following the season, he announced his retirement as a result of his accumulated head injuries.
International
Gros earned his only cap with the U.S. national team in a 2–0 victory over Mexico on February 7, 2007.
Career statistics
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