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SBN MLS Mock Draft 2013: Philadelphia Union Select Dylan Remick, John Gallagher

The writers at SB Nation Major League Soccer sites held a mock draft prior to today's SuperDraft. For the Philadelphia Union, Scott Kessler selected two left backs in the second round.

Jamie Squire

The following is written about a mock draft held by SB Nation Major League Soccer sites:

The Philadelphia Union need some sort of change at left back. That has been quite clear for some time now.

That statement is not to say that Gabriel Farfan has failed during his time at left back. No, it instead refers to Farfan's offensive capabilities, which far outweigh his defensive limitations.

It's about time for Farfan to move full time into the midfield and force his way into a starting lineup that has lacked creativity on the left side since the departure of the inconsistent Justin Mapp. Farfan's skillset is almost the exact opposite of Keon Daniel, who was the number one left midfielder for much of the past two seasons.

Porfirio Lopez was acquired to upgrade the Union backline, but the Costa Rican left back was a major disappointment in 2012 and was let go by Philadelphia without a thought after the season ended.

Luckily for the Union, the 2013 MLS SuperDraft is chock full of left backs with MLS potential. Unfortunately for the Union, most MLS teams also need either depth at the position or are hoping to find a new starter at left back.

Given the Union's drafting will start in the early part of the second round, Jimmy Nealis and Tyler Kemp, widely considered the top left back prospects in the draft, will be gone by then. That leaves quite a large question mark, as the rest of the group consists of a large number of athletic prospects.

Due to the situation, I felt it was necessary to draft two left backs, both of whom are thought of as highly athletic outside backs with at least decent speed and good attacking qualities.

I took Dylan Remick, of Brown University, with the 26th pick in the draft, followed by John Gallagher, of Penn State University, with the 29th selection. If one fails, hopefully the other steps up and takes the reigns, something the Union haven't been able to do since trading former starter Jordan Harvey.

Here's what Top Drawer Soccer has to say about Remick:

A left back with good speed (former track & field star) and size (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) -- need there be more of an argument for the Ivy League product? Brown has sent a small portion size of players on to MLS, and it would be foolish not to try any and all players at the spot coveted at what seems like almost every team in MLS.

Gallagher has a similar skillset, but TDS' comments about his set piece ability sets him apart from Remick:

Rundown: An athletic defender who played as a left back for the Nittany Lions this past season, his future at the pro level is likely as an outside back, considering his size and ability. He's a threat on set pieces, and can get forward to add to the attack from either outside spot.

The real SuperDraft starts at noon EDT.