Rookie Joshua Yaro could start again for Union
Union defender Joshua Yaro did not have the easiest of assignments in his first two Major League Soccer games, and if the rookie starts Saturday against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-2), it would be another major challenge.
Union defender Joshua Yaro did not have the easiest of assignments in his first two Major League Soccer games, and if the rookie starts Saturday against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-2), it would be another major challenge.
Yaro, the second overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft out of Georgetown, earned his first start April 16 when center back Ken Tribbett suffered a right ankle sprain. Tribbett is listed as questionable for Saturday.
Yaro's first start came in a 2-1 loss at Seattle, which features U.S. national team standout Clint Dempsey. Last week, the Union beat New York City FC, 2-0. New York is led by David Villa, the former Spain World Cup champion, and among the most dangerous attacking players in MLS.
Now the Union (4-3) face a San Jose team led by Chris Wondolowski, who entered the weekend with a league-leading seven goals and has scored 116 in his MLS career.
"These are guys I grew up watching and now I am playing against them," said Yaro, 21. "It is fun in that way and a learning process and it has been a great experience."
What wasn't so enjoyable for Yaro was beginning the year on the bench. Tribbett, who was originally signed to play for the Union's United Soccer League affiliate the Bethlehem Steel, played so well that he earned a starting spot with the Union at center back.
At 6-foot-2, Tribbett is strong in the air. The 5-11 Yaro isn't as tall as coach Jim Curtin would like a center back to be, but he moves well, is tremendously skilled, and is among the best athletes on the team.
Curtin felt Yaro's second game was much better, although at one point Villa got free and hit the crossbar.
"Josh individually had a good performance," Curtin said. "I think it was a step up from Seattle. I think his passing was excellent. He read the game well and did a good job."
Curtin isn't one to change when the team experiences good fortune, so it wouldn't be surprising if Yaro is in the lineup, regardless of Tribbett's availability.
Yaro was a first-team all-American and the Big East defensive player of the year in 2015. He admits the difficulty he experienced in coming in and not seeing the whole field immediately.
"It was tough," he said. "I sat down with the coaching staff and they showed me that if I keep working, my time will come."
Now Curtin says it will be a difficult decision on whom to start at center back, but the third-year coach says it's a good problem to have.
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