Stejskal: ‘No truth to the rumors’ Union want high draft pick

MLS writer Sam Stejskal pushed back on a rumor that the Philadelphia Union are looking to land a top three SuperDraft pick during a live broadcast of the MLS Combine on Sunday.

“I’ve heard today that there (is) no truth to the rumors that the Union want to move up,” Stejskal said. “I’ve heard that they’re comfortable kind of where they’re at. They actually don’t even have a pick in the first two rounds. I’ve heard that they’re not trying to move up. You know, we’ll see. That could be posturing. These things are kind of complicated. Everybody’s playing the game.”

As things currently stand, the Union don’t get to pick in the draft until the third and fourth rounds are held via conference call on Sunday. They have the 54th, 55th and 77th picks. Their first round pick (No. 8) was traded to New England Revolution for Charlie Davies and their second round pick (No. 31) was sent to the New York Red Bulls for Adam Najem’s homegrown rights.

CrossingBroad.com writer Kevin Kinkead cited unnamed sources when he tweeted on Saturday that the Union were looking to land a top three pick.

Stejskal makes his comments during the 45-minute mark of the video below.

Later in the broadcast, MLS senior editor Andrew Wiebe said Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United are likely going to have to wait still longer to see their teams make signings.

“I think Philadelphia Union fans and Minnesota United fans want to see more moves but it sounds like some waiting is gonna be had there and you’re not gonna see a ton of moves I don’t think based on some of the conversations I’ve had,” Wiebe said. “It’s not the same kind of hot stove that you might see with Atlanta United or an LAFC who are building out an entire roster. Both those teams kind of insinuating you know it’s a develop from within it’s a wait and see game for them. They’re more later on in the window as things shake out.”

His comments were made in the 89-minute mark of the video above.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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