Confetti rained on the player, the loudspeakers blared Queens victory anthem “We Are The Champions” – and Julian Gressel was in the middle of the Cheering crowds. As the second German professional according to Franz Beckenbauer, the 24-Year-old celebrated a soccer championship in the United States. With Atlanta United defeated Gressel on Saturday evening (local time) in the final of the North American Major League Soccer (MLS), the Portland Timbers with 2:0 (1:0).
“It is indescribable. So much hard work. Everyone here in Atlanta has earned the title,“ said Gressel, who comes from the middle Franconia of Neustadt on the Aisch, after the final victory. Nine members of the family, the grandpa pushed him in the stadium, the thumb – and were after the victory over the moon. “This title is for Atlanta. The Wait has finally come to an end,“ said the German.
Julian Gressel has given of his career in the US a new impetus.Photo: dpa
“It is a night that I will never forget,” said Atlanta-captain Michael Parkhurst, of the layers after four final defeats in his first MLS Cup victory was celebrate – just a year after the MLS debut it was for Atlanta United is the first Triumph of his club’s history. To date last title for the metropolis in the East of the USA was in 1995 and were able to win 23 years Ago, the Atlanta Braves, the Baseball championship.
in Front of a record crowd of 73.019 Fans in the sold-out Mercedes-Benz-stage United was in a weak endgame to be the dominant team. MLS all-time leading scorer Joseph Martinez brought his Team in the 39th minute. Minute in the lead. For the Venezuelans, who was elected most valuable player (MVP) of the League, it was already the 35. Goal of the season. Franco Escobar (54.) built the lead to a default situation. The template gave it to Martinez, who was awarded with a goal and an Assist for the MVP of the finals.
For Gressel, which was named last year to the best young player in the League, it was the first title win of his young Pro career. Together with team-mate Kevin Kratz, of not came in the final, Gressel now the first German to win the championship in the MLS. Beckenbauer won the US title with the New York Cosmos even three Times – 1977, 1978 and 1980, but still in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
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The exchange Canlı Bahis in the USA was for Gressel only a means to an end. Finally, his football career in Germany was advised early on to a Halt. Greuther Fürth had not taken him at the age of 15 years. Prior to his move to the USA Gressel had played for Eintracht Bamberg in Regionalliga Bavaria. At Providence College in Rhode Island he developed in four seasons (2013 to 2016) to a regular player. (dpa)
