Gros Named to National Team Training Roster
Dec 20 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Former Rutgers midfielder Josh Gros, now a member of Major League Soccer's DC United, has been named to the U.S. National Team training camp roster.
The National Team, under the direction of head coach Bob Bradley, will begin workouts at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on Jan. 4 to prepare for the team's first match of 2007 against Denmark on Jan. 20. Gros played four seasons for the Scarlet Knights (2000-03), winning numerous awards and setting several records before beginning his professional soccer career with MLS.
Gros is one of 29 players named to the training camp roster, a group that includes 28 players from the United States, and 10 in search of their first-ever appearance with the senior team. Gros' DC United squad had six players named to the roster, the most of the 10 MLS teams represented.
While at Rutgers, Gros was named the 2003 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being named to the 2003 All-BIG EAST First Team. During that season, he tallied 16 goals and five assists for 37 points, finishing 10th in the Rutgers single-season record book for points and goals. As a senior, Gros was among the national leaders in scoring, finishing 15th in goals (0.73) and 21st in points (1.68) per game. He ended his soccer career at Rutgers with 60 points on 22 goals and 16 assists.
His outstanding play at Rutgers caught the attention of Major League Soccer and in January 2004, Gros was drafted by DC United as the fourth pick in the fourth round (34th overall). This season, Gros started 29 games this season for DC United, scoring three goals and recording five assists, a career-high for the midfielder. He was also named to the MLS All-Star roster for the first time in his career.
Following the United States' match with Denmark, the U.S. will host regional rival Mexico on Feb. 7, and compete in two major championships next summer'the CONCACAF Gold Cup from June 6-24, and the COPA America from June 26-July 15.
