Minnesota United landed one of the 2025 MLS season’s clearest bargains when it claimed Julian Gressel off waivers, a move that required no transfer fee, no assets, and added a proven veteran for the stretch run. By November, the pickup looked like a steal.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
How the Deal Actually Happened
Inter Miami waived Gressel in an apparent salary-shedding move, according to KSTP. He had not featured in 2025 under new head coach Javier Mascherano, who succeeded Gerardo “Tata” Martino in the offseason. Minnesota claimed him off waivers on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, surrendering no assets, with Miami still paying part of his salary. The Star Tribune reported the terms made the deal a bargain for the Loons. His contract runs through December 2026, with a club option for 2027.
Who Minnesota United Was Getting in Julian Gressel
Gressel was born in Neustadt, Germany, on December 16, 1993, and played four years at Providence College. Atlanta United took him No. 8 overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, and he won 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year. His résumé carried weight: he is a two-time MLS Cup winner, first with Atlanta in 2018 and again with the Columbus Crew in 2023. He was also part of the 2024 Supporters’ Shield-winning Inter Miami side that set a single-season points record with 74 points, and he has earned six caps for the U.S. men’s national team. Minnesota became his sixth MLS club.
How the Season Played Out
Gressel became a steady rotation piece rather than a headline signing. Across all competitions in 2025, he made 30 appearances with 17 starts and logged more than 1,478 minutes, per MLSsoccer.com. In the regular season he contributed 1 goal and 3 assists. His value showed up in less obvious places: dead-ball delivery, positional flexibility, and the experience of a player who had won at the top of the league. Minnesota finished as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
The Playoff Run and How It Ended
Minnesota advanced in the postseason, beating the Seattle Sounders in the Round One best-of-three series 2-1, a set that included a penalty-shootout win. Their season ended in the Western Conference Semifinal on November 24, 2025, a 1-0 loss at San Diego FC, the Star Tribune reported. Expansion side San Diego got the winner from Anders Dreyer, the 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year, who scored in the 72nd minute past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. It marked Minnesota’s second straight conference-semifinal exit.
Internet Reactions to the Potential Gressel Transfer
As rumors swirled around Julian Gressel’s potential move from Inter Miami CF to Minnesota United FC, the soccer community was abuzz with reactions and opinions. While the initial speculation may have focused on Gressel’s preference for the East Coast, Reddit comments suggested that playing time could be the driving factor behind this potential transfer.
While some fans expressed disappointment at the prospect of Gressel leaving Inter Miami, the consensus seemed to be that a move to Minnesota United could provide him with the playing time and opportunity to showcase his talents. The comments highlighted the notion that Gressel’s potential contribution to the Loons could outweigh the geographical location, as he sought to revive his career and make a meaningful impact on the field.