August 25, 2016
Kevin Kinkead/for PhillyVoice
Union rookies Fabian Herbers, Keegan Rosenberry, and Josh Yaro were key in the Union's 2-1 road win in Columbus on Wednesday night.
The entire right side of the Union formation was made up of rookies on Wednesday night.
Josh Yaro played right center back. Georgetown teammate Keegan Rosenberry was in at right fullback. Rosenberry's current roommate, Fabian Herbers, got a start on the right side of the midfield.
Collectively, they made up more than 27 percent of the starting eleven and contributed both goals in the Union's 2 to 1 win at Columbus.
"We had a lot of young players on the field that I think grew up and took a big step going forward," said head coach Jim Curtin. "We're a club that trusts young players and believes in playing young players, and they rewarded us tonight. If you were to tell me before the game starts that we'd get goals from Herbers and Rosenberry, I'd tell you that you were a little crazy, but I'm happy for them. I think it's a big step in a tough atmosphere."
The Union defense was sharp to begin the game. Yaro looked comfortable after missing several games while Ken Tribbett took hold of the starting RCB spot. He finished with two blocks, three interceptions, 10 clearances, and three recoveries.
Rosenberry was able to get forward frequently as Herbers pinched inside. He contributed two key passes in the attacking third while working against Justin Meram on the other end.
Herbers sought the ball inside but didn't see a ton of early touches. The Union offense looked a bit stale in the first 45.
"We weren't satisfied with our performance on the ball, offensively, in the first half," Hertbers said. "We defended well, but offensively, with the ball, we didn't connect as many passes as we wanted to. In the second half, I thought we did a better job with that. We did well in countering and created a couple more chances and we could have scored one or two more goals even."
Keegan and Fabian picked a good time for their second career @MLS goals! #DOOP 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gy90IQzv3W
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) August 25, 2016
Herbers opened the scoring with a determined second effort after taking a pass across the box from Chris Pontius. After seeing his first shot blocked, the number six overall draft pick volleyed his own rebound while going to ground and snuck his effort past Steve Clark and into the far corner.
It was his second Union goal and first tally since June 1st, another win against the Crew.
Yaro was unlucky not to earn a clean sheet when Columbus then scored in controversial fashion. Goalkeeper Andre Blake pushed a save off the crossbar and Warren Creavalle appeared to clear from the goal line, but not before the assistant referee signaled for a Crew goal.
The Union responded immediately through Rosenberry, who made an excellent slashing run to receive a Tranquillo Barnetta through ball and score the go-ahead goal on the other end.
"That's the best kind of goal to score, right?" the rookie quipped.
It was the first time since 2013 that two rookies have scored in one MLS game. Colorado's Dillon Powers and Deshorn Brown both found the back of the net in a 5 to 1 win against Seattle.
"I was happy for Josh and Fabian to get the start tonight," Rosenberry continued. "I think you look at the game and it's a big contribution from those guys. It's not just starting and having an outside role in the team. I think you see it in training throughout the year, and the appearances they're making throughout the year."
It starts with the commitment to young players, which has been an emphasis this season under Curtin and Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. The Union traded up to draft Yaro with the number two overall pick. They took Rosenberry at number three and Herbers at number six.
"Again it's a tribute to the leadership, and the young guys feel like we have a voice and have a part," Rosenberry said. "We feel at home with the team. That's what gives us the confidence to come out here and play, especially on the road."
