MLS Draft 2020: D.C. United select Michigan goalkeeper Andrew Verdi

D.C. United used the 65th overall pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft to select Michigan Wolverines goalkeeper Andrew Verdi. A former USYNT player at the Under-18 level, Verdi won the 2019 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year award during this past season, while also earning a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team.

United had four picks spread between 3rd and 4th rounds, which were unceremoniously relegated to a conference call and unveiled in muddled, unclear fashion by the league and individual teams. However, after selecting the 6’4” Verdi, the Black-and-Red joined the crowd of MLS clubs opting to pass. In the end, 27 of the 52 picks in rounds 3 and 4 went unused.

Verdi, 22, had an unusual collegiate career. After not appearing in any games as a freshman, he started 13 of Michigan’s 20 games in 2017, conceding 14 goals. In 2018, he again didn’t receive any playing time, but regained the starting job as a senior. Verdi stood out, giving up just 12 goals in 15 starts, but suffered an injury in a late-season draw with Wisconsin that kept him out for the Wolverines’ final seven games of the year.

Verdi joins a large contingent of goalkeepers within the broader United organizational umbrella. During this winter, D.C. secured a permanent transfer to keep Bill Hamid in town, while also re-signing Chris Seitz and Earl Edwards Jr., which in all likelihood will be the club’s goalkeeping corps for 2020. Loudoun, meanwhile, retained Colin Miller, and United selected Simon Lefebvre in the 2nd round of the draft with their USL Championship side apparently in mind.