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Union may rely on youth against Sporting Kansas City

The Union's 2-1 win on Wednesday at Columbus was not only a much-needed victory in their Major League Soccer playoff quest but an affirmation on this year's MLS SuperDraft.

The Union's 2-1 win on Wednesday at Columbus was not only a much-needed victory in their Major League Soccer playoff quest but an affirmation on this year's MLS SuperDraft.

For the second time all season the Union's three first-round draft choices - No. 2 selection, defender Josh Yaro; No. 3, defender Keegan Rosenberry; and No. 6, midfielder/forward Fabian Herbers - were in the starting lineup.

And all three played an integral part in the win. Herbers scored the first goal, and, after Columbus tied the score, Rosenberry got the game-winner.

Yaro remerged into the starting lineup and enjoyed a stellar performance, too.

"We want to be a club known for playing young players, giving them the opportunity, and all three of them rewarded us in Wednesday's game," said Union coach Jim Curtin, whose team hosts Sporting Kansas City in Saturday's MLS game. "All had major contributions to the game, and credit goes to [sporting director] Earnie [Stewart] for being aggressive in the draft."

Rosenberry has been a fixture at right back earning a berth in the all-star game. He is the only MLS field player who has played every minute of his team's games this season.

Herbers has appeared in 24 games, making five starts. He has two goals and is second on the team with four assists.

Yaro injured his shoulder on May 25 and missed the next three games. More recently he didn't play five games in a six-game stretch as Ken Tribbett earned the center back job. Yaro replaced a struggling Tribbett at halftime of last week's 3-1 loss to Toronto FC and earned the start against Columbus. He has appeared in 13 games, with 11 starts.

The Union (10-9-7, 37 points) will need the young players as they continue their playoff push. With six Eastern Conference teams earning a playoff berth, the Union are in fourth place with eight games remaining.

Sporting Kansas City (11-11-5, 38 points) is in fifth place in the Western Conference, so it's a big game for both teams.

This will be SKC's fifth game in 15 days. The team is coming off a 3-0 loss at Vancouver in the CONCACAF Champions League.

"They rested a lot of their starters, so they will probably be the fresher team," said Curtin, whose team has equaled its point total of last season.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard