Union plans for Thursday's MLS draft

All eyes will be on the Union at the Major League Soccer SuperDraft and not just because the first two rounds take place Thursday at the Convention Center.

With two of the first six selections, Union team manager John Hackworth indicated that the team could be open for business as far as making trades.

"The good news is we have two high picks and that puts us in a favorable position," Hackworth said during a conference call with reporters on Monday. "Many teams have approached us."

The Union haven't had a busy offseason but that could change between now and Thursday.

"Things will heat up between now and draft day," Hackworth said.

The Union acquired the second overall pick when they dealt defender-midfielder Gabe Farfan to Chivas USA last season. The No. 6 selection is their own pick.

Last year the Union didn't have a first-round pick.

It sounds as if the Union are more than willing to deal at least one of the two first-rounders.

"If a team comes to us and we feel we can make a trade for a player we know who has proven himself, that is a direction we will clearly go in," Hackworth said.

The Union finished 12-12-10 for 46 points, three points out of the fifth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

In their first four seasons, the Union made the playoffs once, in their second year, 2011.

If the Union keep their picks, they could look to fortify the offense and defense. Topdrawersoccer.com projects in its most recent mock draft that the Union would select University of California defender Christian Dean with the second pick and Georgetown forward/midfielder Steve Neumann with the No. 6 selection.

Neumann, a graduate of Council Rock North, was the Big East offensive player of the year. He also played this summer for Reading United, the Union's USL Premier Development League affiliate.

Whether the Union decide to pick the best player available or fill a need, Neumann could fit either case.

"When you are talking about the best available player, with a guy like Neumann, you don't look specifically at position because a guy like that, you know he is going to make it," Hackworth said.

There are so many unknowns about the draft, including how active the Union will be on the trade front leading up to their selections.

@sjnard