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Ross Paule (born April 4, 1976 in Memphis, Tennessee), is an American soccer midfielder, who currently plays for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.
Paule played college soccer at Creighton University, but left only after three seasons, becoming one of the first players to leave college early for a jump to MLS. He was drafted 11th overall by the Colorado Rapids in the 1997 MLS College Draft, and became a regular right away, a starter by his second season. Paule's best year with the Rapids came in 1998, when he tallied ten goals and six assists. He stayed with the team through 2001, running the team's midfield, and was atop the league's assist charts at midseason, when the Rapids traded for midfield maestro Carlos Valderrama. With no place for Paule on the squad, he was deal to the MetroStars for Steve Shak and a draft pick.
Paule spent the rest of 2001 and all of 2002 with the Metros, usually playing -- and not playing too well -- in a new out-of-position role of defensive midfielder, as mandated by Metro coach Octavio Zambrano. Ross was traded to Columbus prior to the 2003 season for Chris Leitch and Jeff Matteo and has been there since. In eight years in MLS, his totals are 31 goals and 41 assists.
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