Photo: GoUSFBulls.com
Philadelphia Union had no first round pick, leaving the club waiting until the 11th pick of the second round (33rd overall) to get involved in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Earnie Stewart was unwilling to wait that long, and the Union traded up to select University of South Florida right winger Marcus Epps with the 25th overall selection. Philadelphia sent the 42nd overall pick and $50,000 in 2018 General Allocation Money to Minnesota United for the right to draft Epps.
Per Matthew De George, Epps collected eight goals and nine assists over 75 matches for USF. Epps may not immediately challenge Fabian Herbers and Ilsinho for time on the right wing, but he will certainly have an opportunity to grow under Brendan Burke at Bethlehem Steel FC.
Check out Epps’ highlights here.
Not great production, but if he has some speed, any speed, he’d be a big addition to the team. We lack speed at every position
Blakes the fastest keeper in MLS
He will provide Josh Heard with competition on the right flank midfield on the Steel I would bet.
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I conclude that this move signals it is a “put up or shut up” Year for Eric Ayuk on the first team. It is an option year contract pick up for him, so that makes sense.
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He needs to earn that intl spot. I conclude he hasn’t.
He has not, correct.
Brotherly Game lists him as playing left wing/forward with the Bulls rather than right, and the highlight video they linked seems to confirm that, in which case he’d be eventually competing with Ayuk/Sapong to be the backup for Pontius when not developing with Steel. (Could be he’s just been rotated between both wings.)
Its an old mantra but you can’t teach speed.