Goalkeeper headlines Union's draft haul

BALTIMORE--The College Park, Md. goalkeeping pipeline continued when the Union selected Zac MacMath as its first pick in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday. MacMath, who is said to have Philly roots, was selected as the No. 5 overall pick.

Last year, the Union picked up Chris Seitz, 23, via trade from Real Salt Lake. Seitz is currently with FC Dallas. Both MacMath and Seitz were acquired with input from Union goalkeeper coach Rob Vartughian, a former goalkeeper coach of the Terps and someone with serious ties to coach Sasho Cirovski's program.

A 19-year-old from St. Petersburg, Fla., MacMath said he was unaware that the Union were interested until his agent informed him just hours prior to the start of the draft.

"My agent gave me a little idea that there is an opportunity to go there and I am just happy that they took their chance with me," said MacMath. "I know a lot about the city, my dad grew up there I have family there still. I grew up in Florida, but I have a lot of ties to the area ... so I am really looking forward to going in and working with them."

MacMath will battle current Union keeper Brad Knighton and Faryd Mondragon, whom the team acquired via free transfer from German Bundesliga side FC Cologne. Mondragon, who has yet to be announced due to immigration issues, is expected to be officially introduced in the coming days, according to a source close to the situation.

"Preseason is a month and a half long and I am really looking to go out there and battle it out with Brad Knighton," MacMath said on his intent to make an immediate impact. "I think I have a lot to offer and obviously so does the coaching staff, so I am excited to get out there and prove them right."

Keeping with the ACC theme, the Union took North Carolina midfielder Michael Farfan in the second round at No. 23. Farfan, 22, a NSCAA first team All-America and semifinalist for college player of the year, brings playmaking ability to a Union roster loaded with 13 midfielders. In a twist, Farfan noted that he played against MacMath and that in their first meeting this past season, he scored on his new teammate.

"We played him a couple of times, once in the ACC tournament and once in the regular season. He's a very good keeper," said Farfan. "But I actually did score on him in the first game against them this season. Not going to rub it in -- but yeah, I did."

A quick glance showed Farfan actually scored both goals on MacMath in a 2-1 UNC win over Maryland on Sept. 24.

With its third and final selection, the Union selected Maryland-Baltimore County forward Levi Houapeu as the 41st pick. If his college resume is a true indication of what he could bring to the professional ranks, then consider the 21-year-old a late-round steal.

Houapeu tallied 34 goals and 19 assists in his four seasons as a Retriever, his best years coming in his final two seasons when he compiled 30 goals and 17 assists -- 13 of those helpers arriving his junior year.

"He can play a bunch of positions and a guy like that needs to be in an environment like ours," Union manager Peter Nowak said. "I think at the end of the day it will help him tremendously. We have been watching him and we are very impressed with him overall."