Mike Grella

Youth and amateur

Grella was born in Glen Cove, New York, and had a highly successful youth career playing as a striker. He was a 2003 and 2004 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player and the 2004 NSCAA National High School Player of the Year for the Glen Cove Big Red. He led his club team, the Albertson Red Storm, to both the 2003 and 2004 USYSA National Championships and the Red Storm Academy to the 2004 Super Y-League Championship. Grella played college soccer for Duke University, where he was a 2008 first team All American. During the 2007 collegiate offseason, he played for the Long Island Rough Riders in the fourth division USL Premier Development League. In 2008, he played five more games for Long Island before switching to play for the Cary RailHawks U23s mid-season.

Leeds United

2008–09 season

In February 2009, he was drafted in the third round (34th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC; however, Grella decided against signing for the Canadian club, and instead tried his luck at playing in Europe. Grella went on trial with Leeds United in January 2009, and scored a hat-trick for the club's reserves against Barnsley. He also scored a goal in a behind-closed-doors game, with news of a permanent deal pending. He signed a full-time contract for Leeds on transfer deadline day, February 2, 2009, until the end of the 2009–10 season. He made his Leeds debut on February 14, 2009, after coming on as a 74th-minute…

Grella has represented the United States at both under-18 and under-20 level. He holds both American and Italian passports. Grella admitted he was looking to be called up by the full USA national side, and was hoping to break into the World Cup squad, but he said his lack of playing time at Leeds made the opportunity of a call up very slim.

Grella is married to Jessica, with whom he has two children. His family is originally from Sturno, Italy. He is an ardent supporter of Juventus. As of April 2022, he is currently a Serie A analyst at Paramount+ and occasionally for MLS Season Pass.