D.C. United insisted for weeks that they would use their No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft then in the days leading up to the draft there was word they would trade it. Finally, in the hour before the draft, that is exactly what they did, dealing the top pick to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for the No. 2 pick and allocation.
D.C. United trade No. 1 pick to Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia moved up to No. 1 to select Andre Blake.
Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sport
The move puts the Union in position to select goalkeeper Andre Blake. They already have a goalkeeper in Zac MacMath, who was considered the next great American goalie for years, but the Unon's patience appears to have run out with him. He has struggled since coming into MLS, misjudging balls coming off his line and failing to improve his position.
In Blake, the Union will get who many consider the best goalkeeper in the draft since Brad Guzan in 2005. He is exceptionally athletic, but what impressed teams is how advanced he is. He shined at the combine, showing excellent positioning, confidence coming off his line and, most importantly, fantastic communication.
For D.C., they were able to pick up allocation and still get the man they want at No. 2. They have Bill Hamid so Blake was never in play for them and they got an asset to go along with the player they want so it's a good morning for the United crew.
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