Brotherly Game - The Complete 2014 MLS Super DraftThe beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2014-01-22T06:30:01-05:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/50826812014-01-22T06:30:01-05:002014-01-22T06:30:01-05:00MLS Draft Day Experience - A Fan's Perspective
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<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I know I am a fan of something special. I am on the ground floor. Once soccer becomes much more popular than it already is in the United States (and it will in time), I will be able to tell my grand children that I was there cheering for our boys in blue before it was the "in" thing to do.</p> <p>Over the past 5 years I have fallen more in love with Major League Soccer and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> in particular, than I have for any other Philadelphia sports team. Sure, it's not perfect--the lack of transparency, the making rules up on the fly, the perception of the league by some around the world, and the perception of the sport within the United States--but I know I am a fan of something special. I am on the ground floor. Once soccer becomes much more popular than it already is in the United States (and it will in time), I will be able to tell my grandchildren that I was there cheering for our boys in blue before it was the "in" thing to do.</p>
<p>I was like a giddy kid on Christmas Eve on January 15, 2014. Never had I thought I would be able to attend a professional sporting draft.</p>
<p>The morning started off early on January 16 at the Philadelphia Field House around 9:00 am. The Sons of Ben were having a pre-Draft party to start the day off right. One thing you come to realize very quickly is that being a Philadelphia Union fan and participating in the events that are offered makes you feel like you a part of a very large and extended family. I walked into the bar not only to find many friends who are with me in the stands at every game cheering on the team, but also the Union's CEO Nick <span class="st">Sakiewicz</span> and many of the starting players of the Union as well. No one is treated as above anyone else. We are all part of the same family--players and fans alike.</p>
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<p>When we had all had our fill of enough breakfast beer, it was time to march into the Draft. This day was about the young players being drafted and we were going to show them our love and support.</p>
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<p>I cannot adequately describe to you what it feels like to be a part of a Sons of Ben march. Everyone is holding their scarves up high, clapping, and singing in unison. All eyes of the convention center were on us as we slowly made our way up the steps and then the escalators to the main ballroom of the event. I guess this is the closest I can imagine a celebrity feels like as you look around and see people taking pictures and videos with their phones and cameras as we marched on by.</p>
<p>Shortly upon entering the ballroom, in came the New York Red Bull supporters. They brought a present--the Supporters Shield. This of course lead to chants of: "Show us your hub cap!" and " 18 Years--One plate, no cups!" This further added to the experience for everyone in attendance and gave an adequate portrayal of a match day experience between The Red Bulls and the Union.</p>
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<p>Of course, there has been some written on our response to the Commissioner of the league, Don Garber. Whether you agree or not, this was the only forum we had as a fan base to show our displeasure with the news that had come out a few days earlier. It would be one of the rare times we could show him, in person, a form of protest. He knows we don't hate him, and to be quite honest, he was expecting it based upon his comments to the press later. As he said in his speech at the Draft which were directed to the Sons of Ben---we may not always agree, but we know that we are in this together to make the league the best that it can be.</p>
<p>We are passionate and will never apologize for that.</p>
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<p>The overall feeling from the Union's picks is that people were pleased. We got one of the best players in the combine in the form of GK Andre Blake, a talented midfielder, and two defenders. We made sure to show them a warm welcome and that they were now "one of us."</p>
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<p>There is still some time before the Union's historic 5th season begins. There are still more moves to be made. However, the future looks bright. The Draft made this fan completely excited and optimistic for what the 2014 season holds.</p>
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<p><i><span class="st">Jungite aut Perite</span></i></p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/22/5325552/mls-draft-day-experienceHeather Reppert2014-01-21T14:55:28-05:002014-01-21T14:55:28-05:00Union select Luca Gimenez.
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<p>In the sixth pick of the fourth round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union close out the draft and select midfielder Luca Gimenez from Wake Forest University.</p>
<p>At 5-10 and 174 lbs, Gimenez was a driving force in the midfield in 2013 by scoring eight goals and recording five assists to finish out the season for the Demon Deacons with a 10-6-5 record and entered in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.</p>
<p>In 2007-2008, the Sao Paulo, Brazil native played for Interclubes and led the team in goals with 21 in 2007 and 15 in 2008. He was also named the MVP of Kerkyra Cup in Greece. Pronounced: GEE-men-ez.</p>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/21/5331736/philadelphia-union-select-luca-gimenezjwhitesall2014-01-21T14:33:18-05:002014-01-21T14:33:18-05:00Union select midfielder Quinn.
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<p>In the 14th pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft the Philadelphia Union select midfielder Aodhan Quinn from the University of Akron. At 6-0 and 170 lbs, he was the 2013 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and All-MAC First team honoree.</p>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/21/5331692/philadelphia-union-select-aodhan-quinnjwhitesall2014-01-21T14:27:56-05:002014-01-21T14:27:56-05:00Union select Alex Sweetin
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<p>In the eighth pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union select Midfielder Alex Sweetin from Saint Louis University. At 5-9 and 155 lbs, he was selected to the 2013 First team all-Mid-Atlantic region and Atlantic 10 Conference Midfielder of the year.</p>
<p>Here is a look at Alex Sweetin.</p>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/21/5331666/philadelphia-union-select-alex-sweetinjwhitesall2014-01-21T14:22:41-05:002014-01-21T14:22:41-05:00Union select Defender Marquez.
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<p>In the sixth pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union select Defender Richard Marquez from The University of Redlands. At 6-2 and 180lbs, he was coached by former LA Galaxy coach Ralph Perez at Division three University of Redlands. He started all 13 matches in 2013 and helped the team compile a 12-4 record including six six shutouts. He was voted SCIAC Player of the Year.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/21/5331638/philadelphia-union-select-richard-marquezjwhitesall2014-01-21T14:12:10-05:002014-01-21T14:12:10-05:00MLS SuperDraft Rounds three and four.
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<p>Rounds three and four of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft are under way. The Philadelphia Union will have the 6th, 8th, and 14th, pick in Round three.</p>
<p>Stay with Brotherly Game for continuing coverage of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/21/5331604/mls-superdraft-rounds-three-and-fourjwhitesall2014-01-16T14:30:56-05:002014-01-16T14:30:56-05:00Union pick Derschang
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<p>With their second second round pick, the Union go defender again and select Robert Derschang out of Akron and an Austin Aztex alumnus.</p> <p>PHILADELPHIA, PA.</p>
<p>With the eighth pick in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia select Defender Robert Derschang from the University of Akron. At 6-0 and 165lbs, Derschang tied for third on the team with four goals in 2013. He also helped lead the team to a 29-9-3 over two seasons.</p>
<p>Rounds three and four will be held on Tuesday, January 21 via internal conference call.</p>
<p>Here are video highlights of Robert Derschang's 2013 season at Akron.</p>
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<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_-f-VrBpVm0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Stay tuned to The Brotherly Game for analysis of the Union's draft day. Until then, comment below and let us know how you feel about the Union picks!</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/16/5316226/philadelphia-union-select-defender-robert-derschangjwhitesall2014-01-16T14:21:59-05:002014-01-16T14:21:59-05:00Union select Defender Kevin Cope
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<figcaption>Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Union use their first of two second round picks on defender Kevin Cope from Michigan State.</p> <p>PHILADELPHIA, PA</p>
<p>The Philadelphia Union select Defender Kevin Cope from Michigan State University with their first pick of two second round picks and the 25th overall pick in the draft. At 6'2" 175 lbs. Cope was part of a defense that recorded 13 shutouts. Second team NSCAA All-Great lakes Region. 2013 stats include 18 starts, 2 goals and 2 assists.</p>
<p>Here are some video highlights of Cope:</p>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/1/16/5315862/the-philadelphia-union-selectjwhitesall