While most people are busy setting New Year’s resolutions, D.C. United defender Taylor Kemp will be hoping for more of the same after coming off one of his most successful years to date. The newly married 26-year-old can look back at the past year fondly after proving once again how valuable of an asset he is to the Black-and-Red team.
The Colorado native received a flurry of good news in the past month that included tying the knot with his wife and receiving his first call-up to newly-appointed head coach Bruce Arena’s January USMNT camp. While Kemp was given an initial heads-up from Ben Olsen about the possibility of a call-up, the actual phone call from Arena still served as a special moment for the defender.
“Ben [Olsen] had given me a little heads up but when he told me that I was cautiously optimistic. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much because it wasn’t a definite,” Kemp said about getting called up to USMNT January camp. “Finally, when I got the call that it was a sure thing I was super happy. [I was] definitely nervous and had some jitters going on but I was really excited.”
Kemp’s time at USMNT camp gives the defender the foundation for continuing to build on a stellar 2016 season that saw the former University of Maryland defender lead the Black-and-Red in minutes (2,835) and record six assists for the second consecutive season. The player pool at Arena’s camp puts Kemp up against the top domestic talent in the United States and is giving the defender the opportunity to sharpen his skills before D.C. United preseason begins next week.
“To be surrounded by a lot of really good players, playing at a high level and practice every day is helping me prepare for the season. It’s just really good experience for me as a player.”
After falling to Montreal in the knockout round of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, Kemp is looking forward to righting the wrongs from last season and hopes to hit the ground running in 2017.
“We left last year a little short of the hopes we had for it, especially how we finished the season,” said Kemp. “We’re returning the bulk of the same group and I think everyone has a bit of a sour taste in their mouth so we’re going to be hungry to have a really good year.
