Last Updated on October 2, 2026 by Miguel Manjate
Julian Gressel’s family has been central to the German-American soccer player’s journey from a small town in Bavaria to Major League Soccer and the United States national team. Born Julian Emil Kurt Gressel on December 16, 1993, in Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany, he grew up in a football-oriented household before moving to the United States and building a family of his own.
Julian Gressel’s parents are Barbara and Holger Gressel, and he has two younger brothers, Tobias and Valentin. Both of his brothers also played competitive football in Germany. Gressel is married to Casey Brown Gressel, whom he met while studying at Providence College, and the couple have two daughters. Their eldest daughter is named Sophie, while their younger daughter was born during the family’s time in Vancouver.
Who Is Julian Gressel’s Wife?
Julian Gressel’s wife is Casey Gressel, formerly Casey Brown. The couple met while they were students at Providence College in Rhode Island, where Julian was becoming one of the leading players in NCAA men’s soccer.
Casey is originally from Massachusetts, making her connection to New England particularly important to the couple. Julian later explained that her family remained in the region, which influenced some of the decisions the family considered as his MLS career took him from one city to another.
Julian and Casey eventually married in 2019 and have remained together throughout his professional career with Atlanta United, D.C. United, Vancouver Whitecaps, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami and Minnesota United.
Who Is Casey Gressel?
Casey Gressel is a Providence College graduate who earned both her undergraduate degree and an MBA from the university.
Providence College reported in 2022 that Casey was working professionally as a Customer Success Manager at RippleWorx. She and Julian have also remained actively connected to their former university.
In 2022, Julian and Casey made a leadership gift to the Providence College men’s soccer program designed to help international student-athletes with educational opportunities during the summer.
The gesture carried special meaning for Julian because he had originally arrived in the United States from Germany as an international student-athlete himself.
How Did Julian Gressel Meet His Wife Casey?
Julian Gressel met Casey while attending Providence College. Julian arrived at Providence in 2013 after leaving Germany to pursue college soccer in the United States.
Casey was also a Providence student, and their relationship developed during Julian’s four years with the Friars.
The college became an important place for both of them professionally and personally. Julian emerged as an MLS prospect there, while also meeting the woman he would eventually marry.
Years later, MLS described Providence as the place where Gressel and Casey met as students before beginning their life together.
When Did Julian Gressel Get Married?
Julian Gressel and Casey Brown married in early 2019.
The marriage eventually became important to another major chapter in Gressel’s life. Because Casey is American, Julian was able to begin the naturalization process that ultimately resulted in him becoming a United States citizen in November 2022.
After obtaining American citizenship, Gressel became eligible for the United States men’s national team and made his international debut in January 2023.
Does Julian Gressel Have Children?
Yes. Julian Gressel and his wife Casey have two children, both daughters.
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Sophie, in November 2020 while Julian was playing for D.C. United. Their second daughter was born while the family was living in Vancouver during Gressel’s spell with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
MLS confirmed in 2025 that Julian and Casey were raising two young children when the family prepared to relocate to Minnesota following his move to Minnesota United.
Julian Gressel’s Daughter – Sophie
Julian and Casey’s eldest daughter is named Sophie Gressel.
Sophie was born in November 2020. The Washington Post reported in March 2021 that Casey had given birth to their first child several months earlier and that Julian was adjusting to spending time away from his newborn daughter during preseason.
Sophie quickly became a regular part of Julian’s family stories. During his time with D.C. United, the family lived together in Virginia, and Julian described enjoying walks around Washington with Casey, Sophie and their dog, Freddy.
As Sophie has grown older, she has continued sharing her father’s interest in soccer. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gressel even discussed making match predictions with his five-year-old daughter.
Julian Gressel’s Second Daughter
Julian Gressel and Casey later welcomed a second daughter during his time with Vancouver Whitecaps.
Her birth became particularly meaningful to Gressel when he left Vancouver for Columbus Crew in July 2023. In his farewell message, he mentioned that the birth of his second daughter in Vancouver had created an important lifelong connection between his family and the Canadian city.
Reliable club and mainstream sports sources have confirmed that Gressel has two daughters, although the younger child’s name has not been consistently published by authoritative sources. For that reason, it is better not to rely on conflicting names found on unofficial biography websites.
How Fatherhood Influenced Julian Gressel
Becoming a father added another consideration to the frequent moves that are part of professional soccer in North America.
Gressel has played for several MLS clubs, sometimes being traded with little advance warning. His 2022 move from D.C. United to Vancouver was particularly difficult because Julian and Casey had established a home in the Washington area with Sophie.
When he later left Vancouver for Columbus, being geographically closer to family was one of the reasons behind the decision.
By the time he joined Inter Miami, Julian and Casey had two young children and increasingly valued stability for their family.
Who Are Julian Gressel’s Parents?
Julian Gressel’s parents are Holger Gressel and Barbara Gressel. Providence College’s official athletics biography directly identifies Julian as their son.
Holger and Barbara raised Julian and his two younger brothers in Neustadt an der Aisch in Bavaria, Germany.
Football had an especially strong presence within the Gressel household. Julian’s father played the sport at a high amateur level, and all three Gressel brothers became talented footballers.
Julian Gressel’s Father – Holger Gressel
Julian Gressel’s father is Holger Gressel.
Holger had an accomplished amateur football career in Germany. Local German football reporting has described him as an outstanding amateur player who was once close to reaching the professional game.
That football background made Holger an important influence on Julian and his younger brothers.
The Gressel surname became closely associated with TSV Neustadt/Aisch over several generations, with Holger and his sons all contributing to the family’s football reputation in the area.
Julian Gressel’s Mother – Barbara Gressel
Julian Gressel’s mother is Barbara Gressel. Providence College officially identifies Barbara alongside Holger as Julian’s parent.
Barbara has maintained a much more private public profile than her soccer-playing son and husband, and little reliable information about her professional life has been published.
She nevertheless remained part of the family environment in Neustadt that supported Julian as he developed from youth soccer into an opportunity to study and play in the United States.
Who Are Julian Gressel’s Siblings?
Julian Gressel has two younger brothers named Tobias Gressel and Valentin Gressel.
Providence College’s official biography confirms that Tobias and Valentin are Julian’s younger brothers. Like Julian and their father, both were talented football players.
German football reporting has described Holger’s three sons as part of a football family whose connection with the sport extended across generations.
Julian Gressel’s Brother – Tobias Gressel
Tobias Gressel is one of Julian’s two younger brothers.
Tobias played football in Germany, including at amateur level with clubs in Bavaria. Although he did not follow Julian into Major League Soccer, he was recognized locally as another talented member of the Gressel football family.
Transfermarkt and German football publications also identify Tobias as Julian Gressel’s brother.
Julian Gressel’s Brother – Valentin Gressel
Valentin Gressel is Julian’s youngest brother.
Valentin also showed considerable promise as a footballer. His development included time in the youth system of Greuther Fürth and later with Jahn Regensburg.
German reporting noted that Valentin later suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury, which contributed to the end of what had appeared to be a promising playing career.
Like Julian and Tobias, Valentin grew up in an environment where football was deeply connected to the family.
Julian Gressel’s Grandfather – Emil Gressel
Football connections in Julian Gressel’s family extend beyond his father and brothers.
His grandfather, Emil Gressel, was closely associated with TSV Neustadt/Aisch and became known locally as a supporter and patron of the club.
Julian maintained a close relationship with his grandfather even after moving thousands of miles away to pursue his career in North America.
When Gressel received his first United States national-team call-up in 2023, one of the people he contacted was his grandfather Emil in Germany.
Julian later recalled hearing how proud and excited his grandfather was that he had earned an international opportunity after building his career in the United States.
The Gressel Family’s Football Tradition
Julian Gressel comes from a genuine football family.
His grandfather Emil had strong connections with TSV Neustadt/Aisch, his father Holger was an accomplished amateur player and all three Gressel brothers showed significant football ability.
Julian ultimately became the member of the family who reached the highest professional level, but his path began in an environment where the sport was already familiar.
He spent seven years in Greuther Fürth’s youth system before later playing for Quelle Fürth, TSV Neustadt/Aisch and Eintracht Bamberg.
When opportunities in German professional football appeared limited, Gressel took the unusual step of moving to the United States for college.
Julian Gressel’s Family and His Move to the United States
Leaving Germany eventually changed both Julian Gressel’s career and family life.
He joined Providence College in 2013 and became one of the school’s most productive soccer players, scoring 30 goals across his college career.
More importantly from a personal perspective, Providence was also where he met Casey.
Atlanta United selected Gressel with the eighth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, beginning a professional career that eventually convinced him to make the United States his permanent home.
Gressel has said that he still feels a strong connection to Germany through his parents, brothers and extended family, but his wife and children have helped make the United States home.
Julian Gressel Becomes a U.S. Citizen
Julian Gressel became a United States citizen on November 5, 2022.
His path to citizenship came through naturalization after his marriage to Casey. The process took several years and was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and by his professional move from the United States to Canada with Vancouver.
After completing the process, Gressel earned his first U.S. national-team call-up in January 2023.
He later explained that representing the United States felt meaningful because the country had become his home and because his wife and daughters were American.
How Julian Gressel’s Family Handled His MLS Trades
The structure of Major League Soccer meant that Gressel and his family frequently had to adapt to sudden changes.
After beginning his career with Atlanta United, Gressel moved to D.C. United in 2020. He and Casey established a home in the Washington area and welcomed Sophie there later that year.
In July 2022, D.C. traded Gressel to Vancouver. The move came so suddenly that Casey reportedly learned about the trade from another person before Julian had an opportunity to tell her himself.
The family subsequently relocated across the continent to Canada.
Just a year later, Gressel moved back east to Columbus Crew. Vancouver officials said the decision was partly driven by the family’s desire to be closer to relatives.
Julian Gressel’s Move to Minnesota United
Julian Gressel joined Minnesota United in April 2025 after leaving Inter Miami.
The move created another relocation for Casey and their two daughters. MLS reported that Julian initially traveled ahead of his family and was responsible for finding a house and school before Casey and the children moved from Florida to the Twin Cities.
Gressel quickly became an experienced option for Minnesota, bringing years of MLS experience and multiple championship-winning seasons to the squad.
According to Minnesota United’s 2026 media guide, Gressel is under contract through December 2026, with a club option for the 2027 season.
Who Is in Julian Gressel’s Family?
Julian Gressel is married to Casey Gressel, whom he met while they were students at Providence College. They married in 2019 and have two daughters. Their eldest is Sophie, while their second daughter was born during the family’s time in Vancouver.
Julian’s parents are Barbara and Holger Gressel. He also has two younger brothers, Tobias and Valentin, both of whom played football in Germany.
His grandfather Emil Gressel was another important figure in the family’s long association with football in Neustadt an der Aisch.
As of now, Gressel continues to balance his professional career with Minnesota United and life with Casey and their two daughters while maintaining strong connections to his parents, brothers and extended family in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions About Julian Gressel’s Family
Who is Julian Gressel’s wife?
Julian Gressel’s wife is Casey Brown Gressel. The couple met while studying at Providence College and married in 2019.
How did Julian Gressel meet his wife?
Julian Gressel met Casey while both were students at Providence College in Rhode Island. Julian played for the university’s men’s soccer team while completing his degree.
When did Julian Gressel get married?
Julian Gressel and Casey married in early 2019 after meeting during their college years at Providence.
Does Julian Gressel have children?
Yes. Julian Gressel and his wife Casey have two daughters.
Who is Julian Gressel’s daughter Sophie?
Sophie is Julian and Casey Gressel’s eldest daughter. She was born in November 2020 while Julian was playing for D.C. United.
Does Julian Gressel have a second daughter?
Yes. Julian and Casey welcomed their second daughter while the family was living in Vancouver. Reliable reports confirm her birth, although her name has not been consistently published by authoritative sports sources.
Who are Julian Gressel’s parents?
Julian Gressel’s parents are Barbara Gressel and Holger Gressel. Providence College officially identifies them as his parents.
Who is Julian Gressel’s father?
Julian Gressel’s father is Holger Gressel, a former high-level amateur footballer in Germany who was regarded as a talented player in the Neustadt area.
Who is Julian Gressel’s mother?
Julian Gressel’s mother is Barbara Gressel. She has maintained a private life away from the public attention surrounding her son’s soccer career.
Does Julian Gressel have siblings?
Yes. Julian Gressel has two younger brothers named Tobias and Valentin Gressel.
Who is Tobias Gressel?
Tobias Gressel is one of Julian’s younger brothers. He also played competitive football in Germany.
Who is Valentin Gressel?
Valentin Gressel is Julian’s youngest brother. He previously developed with clubs including Greuther Fürth and Jahn Regensburg before a serious knee injury affected his playing career.
Is Julian Gressel German or American?
Julian Gressel was born and raised in Germany and later became a naturalized United States citizen in November 2022. He has both German and American citizenship.
Where was Julian Gressel born?
Julian Gressel was born in Neustadt an der Aisch, Bavaria, Germany, on December 16, 1993.
What is Julian Gressel’s full name?
His full name is Julian Emil Kurt Gressel.
What team does Julian Gressel play for?
Julian Gressel plays for Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer. His contract runs through December 2026, with a club option for 2027.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
