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MLS: Top 5 German players in league history

By Matt Coles

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 14: Julian Gressel #24 of Atlanta United reacts after falling to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 14, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 14: Julian Gressel #24 of Atlanta United reacts after falling to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 14, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 29: Julian Gressel #31 of DC United sends over a cross during a game between Colorado Rapids and D.C. United at Audi Field on February 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tony Quinn/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 29: Julian Gressel #31 of DC United sends over a cross during a game between Colorado Rapids and D.C. United at Audi Field on February 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tony Quinn/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

1. Julian Gressel

Julian Gressel sits atop the list of German players to play in MLS. The German midfielder’s professional career has seen two parts to it, before and after college.

Before his move Stateside, Gressel played for TSV Neustadt and Eintracht Bamberg. He then transferred to Providence College in 2013. He was drafted by Atlanta United with the eighth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and went on to become an instant fan favourite with the expansion side’s fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The 26-year-old immediately became a regular in the starting line-up. He missed just two games in his first season in MLS. After scoring five times and assisting nine other goals for teammates, Gressel was awarded the MLS Rookie of the Year award.

He continued to improve in both his second and third seasons, with a combined ten goals and 26 assists in 66 regular-season appearances. Gressel also played in every minute of Atlanta’s postseason run to the MLS Cup title in 2018.

Next. USMNT: Top 5 players in CONCACAF region. dark

Ahead of the 2020 season, he was traded to D.C. United. He set up a goal in his first game with the club. The German played all 180 minutes of D.C.’s opening two games, with the most recent being his 100th game in the regular season.

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