After selecting former Syracuse defender, Miles Robinson, 2nd overall, Atlanta United have selected midfielder, Julian Gressel, 8th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Time for #8. @ATLUTD take midfielder @JulianGressel from @PCFriarsMSoccer. #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/g2ORB3qJ1H
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 13, 2017
Gressel attended Providence College in Rhode Island where he made 21 appearances in which he scored 15 goals and notched 6 assists in the 2016 season. Gressel also was named a NSCAA First Team All-American and was a Mac-Hermann Trophy semifinalist. During the 2016 DI Men’s Soccer Championship, Gressel won the Golden Boot award by socring the most goals in the tournament.
Born in Germany, Gressel spent time at SpVgg Greuther Fürth academy before signing with Providence in 2013. After navigating through the academy level, Gressel played in the fifth-teir of German soccer with Eintracht Bamberg and TSV Neustadt/Aisch where he scored a total of four goals in a combined fifty apearances. He would require an international roster spot if/when he’s added to the first team squad.
Atlanta United acquired the eighth overall pick by claiming Donny Toia first overall in the expansion draft then trading him to Orlando City SC for the SuperDraft pick.