D.C. United was only supposed to have two draft picks in the 2011 MLS Draft today, and two more in the MLS Supplemental Draft next week. But late in the day after many had already cleared out and gone home, United traded its two Supplemental picks to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the 50th overall selection of the draft, and used it to pick up University of Denver goalkeeper Joe Willis.
Willis was rated by many as the No. 2 goalkeeper in the draft behind Zac MacMath. United has posted some video highlights of Willis' time at Denver and at the MLS Combine, and one thing should be clear - the dude is big. Listed at 6'-5", Willis seems to know how to use his size to his advantage in blocking shots.
The irony of the Willis move is that United actually traded LA's fourth round pick, which we had acquired for Adam Cristman earlier this week, right back to them. So this move was essentially Cristman for Willis. That doesn't necessarily sound like a good move, since Willis will be competing in training camp for a roster spot with fellow goalkeepers Chase Harrison and Alex Horwath. But if Cristman wasn't going to sign for the amount we wanted anyway, its not a bad move at all.
And thus United's draft concluded with the team taking 100% defensive players. The obvious indication then is that the team is closing in on signing an international attacker or two. We can only hope.