After Retiring, Glen Cove Soccer Standout Returns To MLS

GLEN COVE, NY — Just a year after announcing his retirement from professional soccer, Mike Grella, a Glen Cove native and former midfielder for the New York Red Bulls, has joined a professional soccer club in Ohio — only this time he won't be taking the pitch.

On Feb. 23, 2019, Grella announced his retirement from soccer at 32 years old, citing nagging injuries.

"It is with heavy heart that I write this message," he said. "The last two years with injuries hasn't been easy and ultimately have resulted in my decision to move on from the game I love."

But last week, the former Duke standout announced he had returned to the sport he loved, just in a slightly different role and team.

"I’m very excited to join the Scouting and Player Recruitment at FC Cincinnati," Grella tweeted. "Honored to be involved in such an awesome club with amazing people!"

Grella's new club is coming off a forgettable season, in which the team finished with the worst record in the league with six wins, six draws and a whopping 22 losses, good for just 24 points. By comparison, NYC FC finished in first place in the regular season with 18 wins, 10 draws and just six losses, racking up 64 points.

Grella netted 74 goals during his four years of varsity soccer at Glen Cove High School. His former high school coach Kevin Nolan told the New York Daily News that Grella, a renowned dribbler, was known to "find his way into a tight spot" and "always find his way out."

But Grella made a name for himself with Forest Park in the Long Island Soccer Football League before attending Duke University, according to Front Row Soccer. He played two seasons with the Long Island Rough Riders, later playing for the Red Bulls and Columbus Crew.

He was part of a formidable group of midfielders that included Sacha Kljestan and Lloyd Sam. In four professional soccer years with the MLS, Grella played in 85 games — starting in 66 of them — and notched 17 goals and 14 assists.

He was inducted into the Long Island Soccer (Football) League Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018.