Union hope to retool roster with two high picks in MLS draft
The Union have plenty of moves to fill out their roster as they prepare for their seventh Major League Soccer season, and a big way of retooling will occur during Thursday's MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore.
The Union have plenty of moves to fill out their roster as they prepare for their seventh Major League Soccer season, and a big way of retooling will occur during Thursday's MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore.
With two selections among the top six, expectations will be as high for the Union as they were in their inaugural season, 2010, when they had the first, sixth and seventh selections. The Union picked Danny Mwanga first, Amobi Okugo sixth and Jack McInerney seventh that year.
While neither is still with the team, all had some degree of success, just not as much as originally expected as a group. All three have been traded multiple times, including McInerney, who was dealt from Columbus to Portland on Wednesday.
Coming off a 10-17-7 season, the Union will select No. 3, which is their own choice, and No. 6, acquired from the Houston Dynamo. The Union also pick third in the second round, 23d overall. Rounds three and four will take place on Jan. 19. The Union have the No. 44 and 64 overall selection in those rounds.
Yet it will be the first two picks that will draw close scrutiny for the Union after last year's disappointing season. Plus with just 15 of 28 roster spots filled (as of Wednesday evening), the Union have plenty of work to do. And they have high expectations from the SuperDraft.
"The goal in everything we do is come out with starters," said Union sporting director Earnie Stewart, who will be overseeing his first draft with the team.
The Union would get a starter if they pick Stanford left back Brandon Vincent at No. 3 as expected as long as Vincent isn't taken higher. He's currently participating in his first national team training camp.
The Union are expected to take a forward with the sixth pick and Creighton's Fabian Herbers and North Carolina's Omar Holness are among the players who have appeared in mock drafts linked to the Union.
The Union also like Georgetown defender Keegan Rosenberry. They were denied homegrown status on him, meaning he is eligible for the draft. The question is whether they would use the No. 6 pick on him or try to acquire a third first rounder because Rosenberry isn't expected to be on the board when the Union draft in the second round.
The Union has plenty of work to do in filling the roster. They have just 15 players under contract to fill the 28-man roster. On Wednesday evening they acquired 26-year-old Brazilian center back Anderson Conceicao on loan for the 2016 season pending the receipt of a P-1 Visa and an international transfer certificate. He comes from Tombense FC of Brazil's Serie C.
Expect many more moves before the Union reports to camp on Jan. 22.
Here are the players on the roster
Goalies: Andre Blake , John McCarthy
Defenders: Maurice Edu, Ray Gaddis, Richie Marquez, Anderson Conceicao.
Midfielders: Eric Ayuk, Tranquillo Barnetta, Leo Fernandes, Sebastien Le Toux, Vincent Nogueira, Zach Pfeffer, , Chris Pontius.
Forwards: C.J. Sapong.
MLS teams are allowed eight international slots, although the Union traded one in August when they dealt Sheanon Williams to Houston. Ayuk, Barnetta, Nogueira and now Conceicao are considered internationals, so the Union could be active in that area.