2012 MLS Draft: Philadelphia Union Select Raymon Gaddis With The 35th Overall Pick

The Philadelphia Union select Raymon Gaddis with the 35th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. This pick was originally acquired from Sporting Kansas City in 2010 in the Shavar Thomas trade.

Gaddis was considered by some to be the best right back in the draft, even ahead of Aubrey Perry. The fullback was part of the Union's affiliate-PDL team Reading United AC during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and played in college soccer at West Virginia University. Gaddis was a third team All-American on Top Drawer Soccer during his Junior year and earned Player of the Week honors while with Reading. He was a member of the Hermann Trophy Watch List in 2010 and 2011, but did not do enough throughout both of those seasons to remain a part of the lists.

The senior's speed makes him a perfect back up to current starting right back Sheanon Williams, who is due to make the USMNT under-23 team for the 2012 Olympics. With Williams gone, it will be up to Gaddis and Ryan Richter to help keep the defensive success that came around when Williams was signed late in the 2010 MLS season.

Previously the Union drafted Chandler Hoffman (13th overall) and Greg Jordan (32nd overall).