A year ago, Julian Gressel walked into StubHub Center in Carson, California, hoping to impress enough at the MLS SuperDraft Combine to launch his professional soccer career. The German was not one of the highest rated players available, but his play did manage to catch the eye of Darren Eales, Carlos Bocanegra, and Tata Martino. 25 starts, 5 goals and 9 assists later, the former Providence College midfielder was celebrating being named the MLS Rookie of the Year with his club Atlanta United.
Now a year has passed, and a new crop of prospects are available in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, which will take place on Friday in Philadelphia.