Maryland defender Taylor Kemp selected 17th by United in 2013 MLS SuperDraft

Olsen: We believe we took the best left back at the combine

Washington, D.C. (January 17, 2013) - D.C. United today announced that the club has selected University of Maryland defender Taylor Kemp with the 17th overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Kemp is United’s lone selection from today’s event in Indianapolis and will join fellow Terrapin Ethan White in the nation’s capital after a standout collegiate career where he bolstered Maryland’s defense at left fullback.

Hailing from Highlands Ranch, Colo., Kemp made an immediate impact on a top-ranked Maryland squad, starting in every match but one, adding two assists and contributing to nine shutouts as a freshman in 2009. At the end of his rookie campaign, Kemp was an All-ACC Freshman Team pick and a Soccer America All-Freshman Team selection. Breaking out during his sophomore year with 23 starts, one goal and four assists, Kemp was a part of a Terps backline that tied a program record for shutouts (15) in a season. During his junior campaign in 2011, the defender was an integral part of a stingy Maryland defense that allowed only 1.05 goals per game. Kemp also tallied one goal and four assists in 21 starts and would subsequently be named a Second Team All-ACC selection. As a senior captain in 2012, Kemp appeared in 12 games and added six assists en route to receiving Second Team All-ACC honors.

“We believe we took the best left back at the combine,” said D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen. “Taylor is a local kid and we have watched him for several years now and we are very excited to have him join us in a couple days.

“We’re very excited to be adding a natural left sided defender,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “Taylor is coming from one of the top programs in the country where he has played in many meaningful games over his four-year career. Taylor is a very intelligent, technical player who can defend and get forward in the attack and will provide cover for us on the left side.”

A Colorado native, Kemp was a member of the U-18 and U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team pools and traveled to Englandand Argentina as a player on the U.S. youth national teams. As a part of Real Colorado’s U-18 Academy, the fullback was selected to the U-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Starting XI in 2008. During his senior year at MountainVista High School, Kemp was named an NSCAA All-American, an All-State selection and team offensive and defensive MVP.

Name: Taylor Kemp

Position: Defender

Height: 5-11

Weight: 153

Jersey: --

Date of birth: July 23, 1990

Age: 22

Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Citizenship: United States

College: University of Maryland

Acquired: Obtained on January 17, 2013