Julia Grosso (American soccer)

Julia Grosso (born December 10, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who last played as a defender for A-League club Melbourne City, for whom she was named the 2022–23 Player of the Year. Grosso has been highlighted as a standout player for her ability to play across the whole pitch and for her excellent footwork and ball control skills.

Early life
Grosso was born in Sunrise, Florida and played for Sunrise SC and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, with whom she won the 4A girls state championship in 2015 and 2017.

College career
After appearing in every game in her first season with Kentucky in an attacking role, Grosso moved to a defensive role as a sophomore. She was a team captain in 2020, when the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. She returned for a fifth year, again as a team captain.

Before her final season, she was named to the SEC Preseason Watch List.

The Kentucky website lists her height as 5–8, but on her personal site, she is listed at 5–5.

Club career
In October 2022, Melbourne City announced Grosso's signing with the Australian club. She was signed as a winger but was noted for her ability to play as a full-back as well. The team first became aware of her via a highlight reel delivered by her agent and first met the coach over Zoom. She began her first season as a left winger, and went on to become the Melbourne City FC Player of the Year in her first season. She helped Melbourne City claim third place in the A-League's 2022–23 season, then re-signed on a two-year deal starting in 2023. She was later utilized as an inverted full-back that transitions to midfield with possession of the ball, being noted for her ability to play up and down whole field. In June 2024, she left the club, exercising a clause in her contract to allow her to explore opportunities outside Australia.