Joshua Gros

Joshua Gros (born June 25, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. Gros is 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.[1] Nowak had previously hired him as an assistant when he led the USA Olympic team to Beijing in 2008.[2]

Not to be confused with Josh Gross or Josh E. Gross.
Joshua Gros
Personal information
Date of birth (1982-06-25) June 25, 1982
Place of birth Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1996–2000 Cumberland Valley High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2003 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 D.C. United 110 (9)
International career
2007 United States 1 (0)
Managerial career
2009 Northern Virginia Royals (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

College

Gros was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He 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.

Personal life

His nickname amongst D.C. United players was “The Sarge”.[3]

After retirement from playing due to head trauma he initially trained and worked as a civil engineer. He worked on designing projects for the U.S. Navy and Air Force.[4]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Open Cup League Cup North America Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
DC United 2004 MLS 291
2005 304
2006 293
2007 221
Career total 1109

Honors
D.C. United

References
  1. "Philadelphia Union : PR". Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. "Josh Gros: Reflection and Anticipation". 20 July 2009.
  3. "Josh Gros: Reflection and Anticipation". 20 July 2009.
  4. "Josh Gros: Reflection and Anticipation". 20 July 2009.
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