The Franconian soccer professional Julian Gressel celebrated the championship title in the North American Major League Soccer (MLS) for the second time.
With Columbus Crew, the midfielder defeated defending champions Los Angeles FC 2-1 (2-0) in the final. Gressel had already won the championship in 2018 – back then with Atlanta United.
The 29-year-old came on as a substitute in the 85th minute of the game on Saturday evening (local time). Cucho Hernandez (33rd, hand penalty) and Yaw Yeboah (37th) gave the hosts the lead in the first half, Denis Bouanga (74th) scored the next goal for LAFC led by ex-Furth player Timothy Tillman. In the end, Columbus celebrated its third MLS triumph after 2008 and 2020.
Gressel comes from Neustadt/Aisch in Central Franconia and moved to a college in the US state of Rhode Island in 2013. Gressel was selected in the MLS draft in 2017 and has since played for Atlanta United, DC United, the Vancouver Whitecaps and, since this year, for Columbus. He made his debut for the US national team in January 2023.