Union names Gros team coordinator

-Courtesy pf the Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, PA (June 11, 2009) – Philadelphia Union Team Manager Peter Nowak reached back for one of his former players to help build the club’s soccer operations by selecting Mechanicsburg, PA native Josh Gros as Team Coordinator. Gros, 26, will be responsible for organizing all matters involving Union players, both on and off the field.

“Josh’s competitiveness and attention to detail will complement our soccer operation perfectly,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “His thorough understanding of Peter’s philosophies and expectations will be invaluable, enabling him to help assess talent and serve as a liaison between Peter, our players and our front office. Bringing Josh on board represents another major step towards translating the core values of our organization to the pitch.”

Gros was a starter for D.C. United in all four of his years with the team and was an MLS All-Star in 2006. He was also a member of Nowak’s championship team in 2004. Gros’ successful career was cut short when he sustained a concussion that caused nagging migraine headaches. The injury forced the tireless worker to the sidelines and he retired shortly thereafter.

“As a player, Josh was well known for his relentlessness, both on the ball and off,” explained Nowak. “He worked just as hard on both sides of the ball and that work ethic will allow him to balance the wide variety of responsibilities he will receive with our club. Ultimately, he will help us set a very high standard for our players.”

As a collegian, Gros received multiple honors including 2003-2004 Rutgers University Student Athlete of the Year, 2004 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, a 2003-2004 Big East Scholar-Athlete award and being selected as part of the 2004 Big East First-team.

“I was very serious about being a student-athlete and MLS player, and I will take my role with Philadelphia Union just as seriously” said Gros, who earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University. “Reuniting with Peter, a man I greatly respect and admire, provides me with a unique opportunity to get back into the game near my hometown and help build Philadelphia Union into a winning club. I’m extremely excited and ready to go.”

Gros most recently worked as a civil engineer for VIKA, Inc., where he worked on designing projects to be completed for the US Navy, US Air Force and the private sector. In soccer circles, Gros was well known for outworking the opposition, a characteristic he displayed during the 2006 MLS All-Star game vs. famed Premiership side Chelsea. He was so productive setting the pace on the pitch with DC United that he earned a U.S. Men’s National Team cap in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on February 7, 2007.