Philadelphia Union selects Aaron Jones #33

The Philadelphia Union went for defensive depth with the 33rd pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, selecting English right back Aaron Jones.

The Great Yarmouth native, who turns 23 in March, made 39 appearances for Clemson over the last two seasons after transferring from Georgia State, where he made 36 appearances. He had seven goals – more than half of those on set pieces – and 14 assists over his college career.

One of those goals was a rocketed left-foot shot in the Sweet Sixteen against UC Santa Barbara in 2015.

On the defensive side, Jones was a key part of the Tigers back line in their 2015 College Cup run, which conceded only 18 goals in 23 games before losing 4-0 to Jordan Morris and the Stanford Cardinal in the final. The Tiger defense only conceded 17 goals 23 matches last season, falling 1-0 to Denver in the Elite Eight.

Prior to coming to the U.S., the 5-foot-9, 160-pound Jones played in Ipswich Town FC’s academy from 2002 to 2012.

If Jones sticks with the Union, he’ll have a chance to earn a starting job at Bethlehem Steel FC and provide depth behind starting right back Keegan Rosenberry and current backup Ray Gaddis.