Julian Gressel recorded nine assists for Atlanta United. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel has been named rookie of the year, Major League Soccer announced Wednesday.
Selected eighth overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Gressel registered the third most assists (nine) in MLS history by a rookie.
Gressel, 23, appeared in 32 matches with 24 starts. He also scored five goals and was deployed in a variety of positions in head coach Tata Martino’s system. He started each of Atlanta’s first six matches and solidified himself in one of the most prolific attacks in league history, helping Atlanta become just the sixth team to score 70 goals.
His contributions were crucial for the club becoming just the second MLS expansion team to make the postseason since 1998, as the first-year franchise finished its inaugural campaign ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference (15-9-10, 55 points).
In all competitions, Gressel appeared in 35 of Atlanta’s 37 matches, including playing all 120 minutes in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Only Andy Williams (1998, 12 assists) and Clint Mathis (1998, 10 assists) registered more assists as a rookie in MLS history.
Video soundbytes from Julian Gressel are available HERE
Gressel played four years at Providence College where he recorded 30 goals and had 26 assists. In MLS, the German-born midfielder registered his first assist in a 6-1 victory over Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium March 12, and he scored his first professional goal against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park May 14 to help Atlanta pick-up a road point. Gressel’s pivotal first goal also sparked a run of two goals and three assists over a four-game span.
Orlando City SC originally held the rights to the No. 8 selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Atlanta United acquired those rights on Dec. 13, 2016 in exchange for Donny Toia, whom Atlanta had selected earlier that day in the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft.
The award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:
|
AT&T Rookie of the Year |
Player Vote % |
Media Vote % |
Club Vote % |
Average % |
|
Julian Gressel (ATL) |
48.97% |
56.67% |
55.95% |
53.86% |
|
Abu Danladi (MIN) |
14.40% |
17.58% |
16.67% |
16.22% |
|
Jack Elliott (PHI) |
3.70% |
13.94% |
5.95% |
7.86% |
|
Nick Lima (SJ) |
8.23% |
3.33% |
1.19% |
4.25% |
|
Ian Harkes (DC) |
8.23% |
0.91% |
1.19% |
3.44% |
|
Jake Nerwinski (VAN) |
3.29% |
2.42% |
1.19% |
2.30% |
All-Time AT&T Rookie of the Year Winners
2017: Julian Gressel – Atlanta United
2016: Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders FC
2015: Cyle Larin – Orlando City SC
2014: Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas
2013: Dillon Powers – Colorado Rapids
2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
2011: C.J. Sapong – Sporting Kansas City
2010: Andy Najar – D.C. United
2009: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2008: Sean Franklin – LA Galaxy
2007: Maurice Edu – Toronto FC
2006: Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA
2005: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2004: Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution
2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire
2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria – MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
