Joshua Gros
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| Joshua Gros | ||
 |
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joshua Gros | |
| Date of birth | June 25, 1982 | |
| Place of birth | Mechanicsburg, PA, USA | |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | |
| Playing position | Defender / Midfielder | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 2000–03 | Rutgers | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2004–07 | D.C. United | 110 (9) |
| National team | ||
| 2007 | United States | 1 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Joshua Gros (born June 25, 1982 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) is an American soccer player who last played midfielder for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.
Gros played college soccer at Rutgers University from 2000 to 2003. As a freshman, Gros started 15 matches and led the team with 7 assists. Although he moved into a consistent starting role as a sophomore, he only registered 3 points, all on assists. Upon moving to the offensive midfield as a junior, Gros's production increased sharply and he finished the year with 6 goals and 1 assist. Gros far bettered this as a senior, finishing the year with 16 goals and 5 assists, and was named the Big East offensive player of the year. He was also chosen to National Player of the Week on 9/22/03, by College Soccer News. During his professional career, however, Gros has gradually taken on a more defensive role.
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.
Gros earned his first cap with the U.S. national team in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on February 7, 2007.
In the 2007 MLS season, Gros has started and played in 21 games for United, despite having suffered numerous head traumas. Following the season, he announced his likely retirement as a result of his accumulated head injuries. While he has not announced his permanent retirement, he will be sitting out the 2008 MLS season.
