Union focus on defense in draft

BALTIMORE - The Union drove down I-95 Thursday and took control of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Already armed with the No. 3 and 6 picks in the first round, the Union acquired the No. 2 selection from the Colorado Rapids for general allocation money and a player to be named later.

Then, the Union selected three defenders among their four picks, hoping to fortify a defense that allowed 55 goals during a 10-17-7 season. The final two rounds of the draft are to be Jan. 19.

The Union selected Georgetown defenders with their first two picks, center back Joshua Yaro at No. 2 and right back Keegan Rosenberry at No. 3.

At No. 6, the Union drafted Creighton's Fabian Herbers, who is listed as a midfielder but has more experience at forward, a key need for the Union.

The Union had been expected to select Stanford left back Brandon Vincent third. In essence, they chose Rosenberry over Vincent, who is currently in the U.S. National Team camp. While the initial thought was that the Union reached by taking Rosenberry third, Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said he wouldn't have been available at No. 6.

"We didn't believe he would drop that far," Stewart said.

Rosenberry's stock apparently rose with a strong showing at the MLS combine.

Vincent was selected fourth by the Chicago Fire after making a trade with NYCFC. The Fire sent the first overall pick, Jack Harrison of Wake Forest, to NYCFC for the No 4 pick and general allocation money.

Yaro, who was born in Kamasi, Ghana and attended high school in California, was a two-time all-American and two-time Big East defender of the year. At 5-foot-11, 183-pounds, he is a little smaller than the Union has preferred at center back but extremely athletic.

"I feel special that they traded up for me," Yaro said.

With the addition of Yaro, and the signing on Wednesday of Brazilian center back Anderson Conceicao, plus holdover Richie Marquez, designated player Maurice Edu could be moving back to the midfield.

The Union were denied the chance to have Rosenberry be a homegrown player, but they were still intent on adding somebody they were familiar with. He has played with Reading United, their Premier Development League affiliate and frequently has worked out with the Union.

"I am here to get to work and earn a right to be part of this team," Rosenberry said.

Herbers, a native of Germany, gives the Union a potential finisher. While listed as a midfielder, Herbers is considered more of a forward. He was runner-up for the Hermann Trophy as college player of the year after totaling 15 goals and 17 assists.

He played twice this year against Georgetown with the Hoyas winning both games, including a 2-1 overtime win in the Big East championship.

"They are really good defenders," Herbers said. "I had a really hard time with my teammates getting through them."

Yaro and Herbers are Generation adidas players, which means their salaries won't count on the salary cap, giving the Union more flexibility.

With the Union's second-round pick, 23d overall, they selected George Mason defender Taylor Washington. The 5-10, 170-pound Washington is a potential backup to Fabinho, who started 23 games last year.

That was the final move on what Stewart said was a productive day while presiding over his first Union draft.

"We achieved what we wanted to do," he said, "and so it was a good day."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard