Union sign forward Chris Donovan, add three players in MLS SuperDraft
The 23-year-old scored two massive goals for the Union last season and should push for more playing time in 2024.
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While star striker Julián Carranza’s future with the club remains in doubt, the Union did re-up one of their strikers for the future.
The Union signed Chris Donovan to a new two-year deal on Tuesday that also includes club options for 2026 and 2027. Donovan, 23, scored four goals in 29 appearances for the Union this season, including clutch game-winning goals in the Leagues Cup against Querétaro and the MLS playoffs against the New England Revolution.
“Throughout his time with the Union, Chris has capitalized on every opportunity given and has played an important role in games of consequence,” said Union sporting director Ernst Tanner. “He is committed to furthering his development which is evident by the impressive strides he’s made over the last two years, especially in this past season. We look forward to his continued contributions in the years to come.”
Donovan, a Drexel graduate, likely will play a reserve role again next season. He also helped Union II this year, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 12 appearances.
The Union will open training camp in January and will play their first games in the Concacaf Champions League in February.
Union make three draft picks
The Union, who notoriously don’t make many draft picks, made three on Tuesday evening in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, made three on Tuesday!
Having made just two draft picks since 2018, Holden Trent and Stefan Stojanovic last year, the Union made picks at No. 53, No. 63, and No. 82 of the three-round draft.
With their first pick, which fell in the second round, the Union didn’t have to overthink things, selecting former Penn star Stas Korzeniowski. The 20-year-old forward scored 20 goals in 50 games over three seasons with the Quakers and was the Ivy Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.
The Union later snagged midfielder Zachary Bohane (No. 63) from Stanford and goalkeeper Francesco Montali (No. 82) out of Boston University. Bohane led the Cardinal in goals (eight) and assists (11), while Montali, 23, was a two-time Patriot Goalkeeper of the Year award winner.