Showing a maturity that belies his status as a rookie, Atlanta United’s Julian Gressel said it would be nice to be honored as the MLS Rookie of the Year, but it’s not important.
“I hoped I made a good case for that on the field,” he said. “There’s other good players out there and other good rookies. I wouldn’t be made if they got it. If I get it, I deserve it. if I don’t I don’t deserve it.
“It’s cool recognition for me, for the club and the team as well.”
Gressel, the eighth pick in the SuperDraft after a standout career at Providence, has five goals and nine assists in 31 appearances, including 23 starts.
He will get one more chance to impress voters when Atlanta United hosts Toronto on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes have locked up a playoff spot but are fighting for seeding.
Voting for the awards closes at 5 p.m. Monday. Finalists are announced on Oct. 31 and winners named in November and December.
Atlanta United has nominated several players for the various awards:
- MVP: Josef Martinez (18 goals), Hector Villalba (13 goals, 10 assists), Miguel Almiron (9 goals, 13 assists).
- Goalkeeper of the year: Brad Guzan (0.62 goals against average).
- Newcomer of the year: Almiron and Martinez.
- Coach of the year: Gerardo Martino (first MLS expansion team to make playoffs since Seattle in 2009).
- Defender of the year: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Michael Parkhurst (defense has 12 shutouts and plus-30 goal difference).
Gressel seems the best bet for Atlanta United to bring home a trophy that’s not the MLS Cup. He has succeeded despite playing five different positions during the season across the midfield and striker. He has shown technical ability, vision, passing and shooting that have made him a vital member of the team. When Almiron suffered his hamstring injury against Montreal on Sept. 24, Gressel was tabbed by Martino to slot into the attacking midfielder role. Gressel responded in the next game with a goal and assist in a 3-0 win against Philadelphia.
“He’s made that case for himself,” Guzan said. “He’s come in and done a great job for us, especially at different moments when he’s been called upon to paly different roles than he’s used to. Speaks volumes about his attitude, his mentality and his ability.”
Gressel’s biggest challengers should be Minnesota United striker Abu Danladi, the first pick in the draft who has eight goals in 26 games, and Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott, a fourth-round pick who has 29 starts as a centerback.
Martino has said for several weeks that there’s no doubt that Gressel is the best rookie in the league this season.
“Julian, there’s not much to say,” Martino said. “He’s shown it on the field.”
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