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Julia Grosso (American soccer)

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Julia Grosso
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-12-10) December 10, 1998 (age 25)
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

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]

Early life

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Grosso 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

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After 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

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In 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

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As of match played January 20, 2024[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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

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  1. ^ a b "Grosso Returns: 2022/23 Player of the Year Signs On". melbournecityfc.com.au. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Dub Zone | Round 2 | Liberty A-League 2023–24". A-Leagues. Event occurs at 16:50.
  3. ^ Burke, Emma (January 20, 2024). "City score twice and survive late Phoenix resurgence". Impetus 71.
  4. ^ Thompson, Elliot (January 19, 2024). "Live: Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City – A-League Women". Stuff.
  5. ^ "St. Thomas wins Girls 4A FHSAA State Soccer Championship". Sun-Sentinel. February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Julia Grosso bio". melbournecityfc.com.au. August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Shelton, Hunter (August 18, 2021). "Preview: Kentucky women's soccer kicks off season at Purdue on Thursday". The Kentucky Kernel. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Julia Grosso". juliagrosso7.
  9. ^ Welsh, Greg (October 18, 2022). "Women's Soccer Alum, Julia Grosso, Signs with Melbourne City". UK Athletics.
  10. ^ "City, Jets, And Canberra Add To Squads". Impetus 71. October 18, 2022. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022.
  11. ^ "City Sign American Winger Julia Grosso". October 17, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Pisani, Sacha (September 8, 2023). "World Cup star signs new A-Leagues deal after making history: Full details". KeepUp.
  14. ^ Pisani, Sacha (October 21, 2023). "The Ange Postecoglou-inspired tactic used by Melbourne City: 'A new trend for Australian coaches?'". A-Leagues.
  15. ^ "Four Premiers Plate winners depart Melbourne City". Melbourne City. June 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Utah Royals FC Adds Defender Julia Grosso". Utah Royals. September 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Julia Grosso at Soccerway
[edit]
  • Julia Grosso at FBRef.com
  • Career stats at Kentucky