D.C. United added three more players to its training camp roster today via the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft.
With the 26th overall pick, United selected midfielder Lance Rozeboom from the University of New Mexico. Rozeboom received adequate reviews at the MLS Combine earlier this month after leading the Lobos to an undefeated season in 2011, and starting every game from 2009 to the present. Rozeboom is described as a central defensive midfielder, but he was observed by Joe Mauceri pulling the strings in New Mexico's midfield, leading me to believe that he may be more of a box-to-box type player than a straight replacement for the more defensive-minded Clyde Simms. Still, if Rozeboom lives up to the potential he showed in college, he may be able to compete with Stephen King and Conor Shanosky for a place in United's 18-man roster for most matches. At the very least, Rozeboom provides a little bit more assurance that we have other options besides Kurt Morsink for when Perry Kitchen is away on international duty.
Chosen with the 45th pick, Charles Rodriguez appears to be a steal on paper. The senior defender captained the UNC-Charlotte 49ers on a surprise run to the NCAA title game while starting all but one game in his entire four-year college career. He was also named a first team All-American. Not too shabby. The 6'-0" Rodriguez was a part of one of the best defensive units in the country in 2011, and hopefully we'll be able to say the same thing about 2012. With three starter-quality center backs already on the roster, Rodriguez should be able to slot in as fourth on the depth chart.
Midfielder Matthew Kuhn was chosen by United with the 64th pick in the Supplemental Draft after finishing a highly-productive and consistent career at Drake University. Kuhn finished with double-digit points in all three of his seasons with Drake, and could be another attack-minded option off the bench for United this season.