Head Coach Ben Olsen and General Manager Dave Kasper will have have a chance to add three more players to the preseason roster on during today's MLS Supplemental Draft. The Black-and-Red hold the 26th (second round), 45th (third round) and 64th (fourth round) overall picks in the draft.
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"With three picks in today’s Supplemental Draft, we feel we can find players who will be able to challenge for a roster spot during preseason," said Kasper.
Last year, the Black-and-Red picked up forward Blake Brettschneider from South Carolina. Brettschneider earned his way onto Ben Olsen's roster in preseason camp and never looked back. The hard-working forward made several first team contributions last season, earning 15 appearances (12 starts), scoring one goal to accompany two assists. In Reserve League play he was second on the team in scoring (three goals).
United has found starters in late rounds of the SuperDraft or in the Supplemental Draft in other years as well. Josh Gros in 2004 (4th round, 34th overall) and Devon McTavish in 2006 (4th round, 43rd overall) highlight the list of United's late round picks.
"We don’t necessarily anticipate trading any of the picks, but we’ll always listen to inquiries," explained Kasper. "While we’re pleased to have three picks in today’s draft, we have a number of other things in the works for this week and will hopefully be able to announce additional acquisitions in the near future.”
United traded its first round 2012 Supplemental Draft pick (7th overall) to Houston in August of 2009 for defender Julius James.
MLS will hold its four-round Supplemental Draft via a conference call at 2:00 PM ET. Follow D.C. United on Twitter for the latest club news during the draft and visit MLSsoccer.com's draft tracker to follow all the picks.
