Julia Grosso (born December 10, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for National Women's Soccer League club Utah Royals. She previously played for A-League Women club Melbourne City, for whom she was named the 2022–23 Player of the Year.[1] Grosso has been highlighted as a standout player for her ability to play across the whole pitch and for her excellent footwork and ball control skills.[2][3][4]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | December 10, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Sunrise, Florida, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Utah Royals | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Sunrise SC | |||
| St. Thomas Aquinas High School | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2021 | Kentucky Wildcats | 84 | (4) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2024 | Melbourne City | 37 | (2) |
| 2024– | Utah Royals | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 27, 2024 | |||
Early life
editGrosso was born in Sunrise, Florida and played for Sunrise SC and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, with whom she won the 4A girls state championship in 2015 and 2017.[5]
College career
editAfter appearing in every game in her first season with Kentucky in an attacking role, Grosso moved to a defensive role as a sophomore. She was a team captain in 2020, when the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. She returned for a fifth year, again as a team captain.[6]
Before her final season, she was named to the SEC Preseason Watch List.[7]
The Kentucky website lists her height as 5–8, but on her personal site, she is listed at 5–5.[8]
Club career
editIn October 2022, Melbourne City announced Grosso's signing with the Australian club.[9] She was signed as a winger but was noted for her ability to play as a full-back as well.[10][11] The team first became aware of her via a highlight reel delivered by her agent and first met the coach over Zoom. She began her first season as a left winger, and went on to become the Melbourne City FC Player of the Year in her first season.[12] She helped Melbourne City claim third place in the A-League's 2022–23 season, then re-signed on a two-year deal starting in 2023.[13][1] She was later utilized as an inverted full-back that transitions to midfield with possession of the ball,[14] being noted for her ability to play up and down whole field.[2] In June 2024, she left the club, exercising a clause in her contract to allow her to explore opportunities outside Australia.[15] In September 2024, it was announced that she had joined NWSL club Utah Royals.[16]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played January 20, 2024[17]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Melbourne City | 2022–23 | A-League Women | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | |||||
| Career total | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 2 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b "Grosso Returns: 2022/23 Player of the Year Signs On". melbournecityfc.com.au. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Dub Zone | Round 2 | Liberty A-League 2023–24". A-Leagues. Event occurs at 16:50.
- ^ Burke, Emma (January 20, 2024). "City score twice and survive late Phoenix resurgence". Impetus 71.
- ^ Thompson, Elliot (January 19, 2024). "Live: Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City – A-League Women". Stuff.
- ^ "St. Thomas wins Girls 4A FHSAA State Soccer Championship". Sun-Sentinel. February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Julia Grosso bio". melbournecityfc.com.au. August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Shelton, Hunter (August 18, 2021). "Preview: Kentucky women's soccer kicks off season at Purdue on Thursday". The Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "Julia Grosso". juliagrosso7.
- ^ Welsh, Greg (October 18, 2022). "Women's Soccer Alum, Julia Grosso, Signs with Melbourne City". UK Athletics.
- ^ "City, Jets, And Canberra Add To Squads". Impetus 71. October 18, 2022. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022.
- ^ "City Sign American Winger Julia Grosso". October 17, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ D'Urbano, Nick (October 4, 2023). "How a chance meeting, a Zoom call & a promise kicked off incredible debut year for City 'underdog'". A-Leagues.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (September 8, 2023). "World Cup star signs new A-Leagues deal after making history: Full details". KeepUp.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (October 21, 2023). "The Ange Postecoglou-inspired tactic used by Melbourne City: 'A new trend for Australian coaches?'". A-Leagues.
- ^ "Four Premiers Plate winners depart Melbourne City". Melbourne City. June 27, 2024.
- ^ "Utah Royals FC Adds Defender Julia Grosso". Utah Royals. September 1, 2024.
- ^ Julia Grosso at Soccerway
External links
edit- Julia Grosso at FBRef.com
- Career stats at Kentucky