40 Facts About Mike Grella

Michele Grella was born on January 23,1987 and is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward and winger.

Mike Grella is currently a soccer analyst for CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

Mike Grella was born in Glen Cove, New York, and had a highly successful youth career playing as a striker.

Mike Grella was a 2003 and 2004 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player and the 2004 NSCAA National High School Player of the Year for the Glen Cove Big Red.

Mike Grella led his club team, the Albertson Red Storm, to both the 2003 and 2004 USYSA National Championships and the Red Storm Academy to the 2004 Super Y-League Championship.

Mike Grella played college soccer for Duke University, where he was a 2008 first team All American.

In February 2009, he was drafted in the third round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC; however, Mike Grella decided against signing for the Canadian club, and instead tried his luck at playing in Europe.

Mike Grella went on trial with Leeds United in January 2009, and scored a hat-trick for the club's reserves against Barnsley.

Mike Grella scored a goal in a behind-closed-doors game, with news of a permanent deal pending.

Mike Grella came on late in Leeds' play-off semi-final against Millwall but was unable to score during his first-team appearances for Leeds.

Mike Grella scored his first senior goal for Leeds in a pre-season friendly against Burnley.

Mike Grella had to wait just over seven months for his first league start.

Mike Grella repeated this FA Cup goalscoring form on December 8,2009, in the FA Cup replay against Kettering Town, coming on as a substitute during the second period of extra time.

Mike Grella started for Leeds in the Football League Trophy game against Accrington Stanley.

Mike Grella started the Football League Trophy Northern Area final first leg against Carlisle United.

Mike Grella dropped back onto the bench for the rest of the season, and was limited to late substitute appearances.

Mike Grella made his first appearance in the Championship when he came on in the opening fixture as a second-half substitute in the loss to Derby County and remained on Leeds' bench as an unused substitute in the opening fixtures.

On September 22,2010, Mike Grella turned down the opportunity of joining Bradford City on loan.

Simon Grayson revealed his disappointment that Mike Grella turned down the loan move as he wanted him to get a regular run of games out on loan.

On October 12,2010, Mike Grella joined Carlisle United on a month's loan to gain some more first-team experience and gain regular football.

Mike Grella joined fellow Leeds loanee Lubo Michalik, who was already at the club.

Mike Grella made his debut as a second-half substitute against Exeter City, he started the next game against Charlton Athletic, and scored his first goal for the club.

Mike Grella scored in his second-consecutive game, against Bristol Rovers.

Mike Grella returned to Leeds the following day when it became clear that he could not play for Motherwell as he had already played for two different clubs earlier in the season.

Mike Grella returned to Leeds but was unable to play for the club until his loan at Swindon had expired at the end of the season.

Mike Grella played against Bradford Park Avenue in a pre-season friendly.

Mike Grella then played for a Leeds XI in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leicester City, scoring twice.

Mike Grella then was set to play for a Leeds reserve XI against Farsley Celtic.

Mike Grella publicly stated that he wished to join Scunthorpe and that talks were at an advanced stage, after manager Alan Knill publicly declared interest in the striker.

Mike Grella signed with Viborg FF in the Danish Superliga in October 2013.

Mike Grella left the club at the end of 2013 after appearing in two league matches as a substitute.

Mike Grella signed with the Carolina RailHawks in April 2014 for the spring season of the North American Soccer League.

On February 17,2015, Mike Grella signed with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer after a successful trial spell.

On June 24,2015, Mike Grella scored New York's lone goal in a victory over Real Salt Lake.

Mike Grella added another goal in the match, helping New York clinch the Eastern Conference regular season title.

Mike Grella's performance earned him MLS Player of the week honors.

Mike Grella was selected in the first round by Colorado Rapids and immediately traded to Columbus Crew SC in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

Mike Grella has represented the United States at both under-18 and under-20 level.

Mike Grella admitted he was looking to be called up by the full USA national side, and was hoping to break into the World Cup squad, but he said his lack of playing time at Leeds made the opportunity of a call up very slim.

Mike Grella is married to Jessica, with whom he has two children.