Union draft picks could add depth to defense

In the late rounds of the MLS SuperDraft Thursday, the Union reeled in two players who could bolster their defensive depth.

First up was UCLA defender Aaron Simmons, the ninth pick of the third round (No. 51 overall). Simmons stands 6-foot-1 and helped the Bruins reach this season's NCAA College Cup title game, where they lost to a Virginia squad that featured second-round Union pick Eric Bird.

"In Simmons, we got a kid that can play center back, is comfortable at defensive midfield, and can compete athletically," Union manager Jim Curtin said in a statement issued by the team.

St. Louis University midfielder Raymond Lee was selected with the ninth pick of the fourth round (71st overall).

The Union will try to convert Lee into a defender. He's leftfooted, and the Union are in short supply of reinforcements for starting left back Ray Gaddis.

Curtin acknowledged that neither player will be competing for a starting job. It's not even a certainty that they'll be on the final roster. They're more likely to head to the Union's minor-league USL Pro affiliate in Harrisburg. Lee may have a better shot at making the cut, though, because of that left foot.