The Philadelphia Union dominated today’s MLS SuperDraft with three of the first seven picks.
With the first pick in the draft, the Union took Oregon State striker Danny Mwanga. Mwanga was the Pac-10 player of the year as a sophomore where he scored 14 goals and added two assists in 18 games for Oregon State.
“I can honestly say that today was probably the best day of my life,” Mwanga said. “I cannot leave this stage without thanking you, the Philadelphia Union fans. This is a place that I know that I can excel and I know that with Peter’s help, he can mold me to become a better player.”
Union team manager Peter Nowak visited Mwanga in Oregon before Christmas in an effort to convince him not to go to Europe.
“I talked to a lot of people and a lot of players and everyone that I talked to said that playing for coach Peter Nowak was the right thing to do,” Mwanga said.
If the crowd at the Pennsylvania Convention Center is any indication of fan interest in Philadelphia then it is going to be an amazing experience watching games their.
A raucous group of the Union’s “Sons of Ben” members serenaded Mwanga with chants of “Oh, Danny Boy” after his selection was announced.
With the 6th pick (via FC Dallas in exchange for allocation money) the Union selected 18 year old midfielder Amobi Okugo, from UCLA.
Then with the 7th pick (via a trade with DC United) the Union picked 17 year old Jack McInerney from the Cobb Soccer Club.
If you are keeping track, the average age of the Union’s three picks is 17.6 years old so don’t expect much help from them in 2010.
Who will help Philadelphia this season is Fred, an attacking midfielder that the Union got in a trade with D.C. United.
Now they just need to add a goal scorer to their roster.