D.C. United's Joshua Gros didn't expect his professional soccer career to last long.
Prior to his senior year at Rutgers University, Gros completed Officer Candidates School for the U.S. Marine Corps. He planned to be a second lieutenant, not a hard-working outside midfielder.
"When I was drafted [by United], I expected to go for two weeks to Florida, try out, get cut, go home and join the Marine Corps," he said.
Instead of wearing a military uniform, though, Gros spends his workdays wearing a soccer uniform. He was selected by his club coach, Peter Nowak, to play in his first Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game on Saturday against the English Premier League's Chelsea FC.
Gros is one of eight players making their All-Star debut this weekend. Nowak said Gros' development is an example of the changing face of MLS. The league's stars are no longer international players who are past their prime. They're U.S.-born and - in many cases - college-educated players like Gros and United teammate Bobby Boswell.
"They deserve to be here," Nowak said. "The league is growing; stadiums are being built. What is the next step? I always said from the beginning, when I was a player, the league has a great future.
"There's no more use for old internationals coming to this league because we have new talent, new heroes, and we just have to continue to grow this talent," he added. "It's great to see our league is going in this direction. Bobby Boswell, all these guys, you can go club by club with Sacha Kljestan and all of these kids coming from college. We just need to pick them and develop them in the right way. We just need more of these guys."
Gros and Boswell are two of four first-time All-Stars who ply their trade for the Black-and-Red. Troy Perkins, a revelation in goal, and Argentinean defender Facundo Erpen will also make their All-Star bows against the Blues.
United have eight MLS All-Stars in total, and Gros said having such a large contingent of teammates in the Windy City this weekend helps him cope with appearing on such a big stage for the first time.
"I'm usually a quiet person," he said. "Going into a situation with the best players in the league, it wouldn't be the most comfortable for anybody. Having a lot of guys around me that I know makes it a lot more comfortable for me."
Being a goalkeeper, Perkins feels at ease with having a handful of his teammates helping him out on defense.
"I know Bobby and Facu very well, and obviously you throw in a couple of other guys that are top players in this league, and you've got a hell of a team," he said. "We've got really good chemistry already with this group of guys. There's no egos. Everyone knows what we've got to do [Saturday]."
Both Perkins and Gros have been in the league for three years. Gros has been a full-time starter in each of his three league campaigns, while Perkins split time with Nick Rimando in 2004 and was relegated to the substitutes' bench last season.
Gros attributed his first All-Star nod to the team's success, and Perkins noted that his ability and willingness to learn has helped him reach new individual heights.
"Personally, I don't look at it as being, 'I've done this. I've done that,'" Perkins said. "I don't think I've performed at my best yet. I think I've had little lapses here and there, but obviously, I'm young and I'm learning everything I can. I think that's been the biggest factor this year, learning so much so quick."
Erpen, who joined United in early August last year, was an injury replacement for Real Salt Lake's Eddie Pope. This season, Erpen has anchored the stingiest defense in the league and proven his scoring ability with a pair of long-range goals.
"It is good to know I am here with the best players of the league and play against Chelsea," he said. "You cannot ask for more. The plan is to enjoy [Saturday's] game, win the game, and make it great for the people that are coming."
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
