Union coach Jim Curtin is happy about the team's depth

Union coach Jim Curtin has more options than ever after some key offseason signings, including a few this past week.

"The depth is as strong as it has been in club history," Curtin said during a Friday conference call.

The Union appear improved from a 11-14-9 team that earned the sixth and final Major League Soccer Eastern Conference playoff spot last season. They were eliminated in the opening playoff game during a 3-1 loss in Toronto.

Just this past week, the Union signed defender Oguchi Onyewu, midfielder Haris Medunjanin and winger Fafà Picault.

Onyewu, who turns 35 in May, has 69 caps with the U.S. national team. Medunjanin, 31, was a member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina team in the 2014 World Cup. Picault, who turns 26 later this month, has one cap with the U.S. national team.

Earlier this offseason, the Union signed English striker Jay Simpson and Dutch left back Giliano Wijnaldum.

"Depth is good thing and leads to us raising the bar and being a better team in 2017," Curtin said.

Medunjanin, who has yet to come into camp due to visa issues, is somebody Curtin can't wait to begin working with.

"He can get on the ball with pressure with a guy on his back, and he can kind of slow the game down," Curtin said. "He has a really good feel9+, and his ability to connect the back four with attackers is incredible."

As for Picault, Curtin says he feels most comfortable playing the left wing but could play either side.

"He is fast and has a different level of speed we haven't seen before," Curtin said.

In a couple of other items, Curtin said that Maurice Edu, who missed all of last season with two different injuries, including a broken left fibula that occurred in practice on Oct. 22, is scheduled to begin running on Feb. 7. Curtin raised the possibility that Edu wouldn't be ready for the start of the regular season.

Simpson and Picault arrived into camp on Friday in Clearwater.

Curtin also had high praise for Fabian Herbers, last year's No. 6 overall draft choice from Creighton who had three goals and led the Union with seven assists.

"Fabian Herbers is one of the sharpest guys in training," Curtin said.

The Union will spend most of February in Florida as they prepare to open their eighth MLS season. On Saturday they will scrimmage D.C. United.