Player Details

Name

Taylor Kemp

Height

5' 11"

Weight

152 lbs

Date of Birth

7.23.1990 (33)

Birthplace

Highlands Ranch, CO USA

Position

Defender
Career Summary

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2017

Before Kemp was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury, he was a mainstay in United’s backline, starting 22 of the first 23 games in 2017. Despite missing the club’s final 11 matches, the left-sided defender still finished as the Black-and-Red’s leader in tackles (46), interceptions (40) and ball recoveries (108) among defenders. Kemp made his 100th United appearance against Minnesota on July 29. The defender also received his first call-up to the USMNT in the 2017 January camps. 

2016

The fourth-year defender out of the University of Maryland had his best season in the nation’s capital and was a durable, reliable option on the left side of defense.  Kemp reached 30 starts for the first time in his career, scored two goals (albeit one in the postseason) and tied a career-high with six assists.  He also tied a franchise record for assists in a game on 9/24 with three.  The left back scored his first goal of the year against Philadelphia on 8/06.

 

2015

In his third MLS season, Kemp became one of D.C. United’s most danger- ous options playing out of the back. Kemp’s lethal left foot kept him among the team’s assist leaders all season. He recorded assists against Houston on April 11, Orlando City on May 13, at New England on May 23, at home versus Philadelphia on May 30, and at Colorado on Sept. 12. He had both a goal and an assist in a 6-4 win over Real Salt Lake, scoring the MLS Goal of the Week.

 

2014

In his second MLS season, Kemp made 13 appearances (12 starts). He earned his first two career MLS assists in a 4-2 win at home over the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 17, and he scored his first MLS career goal in the club’s first-ever win in Houston against the Dynamo on Oct. 12. Kemp also appeared with USL PRO affiliate Richmond Kickers, recording three assists in five appearances (five starts). 

 

2013

After being selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Taylor Kemp proved to be a reliable left back. Kemp spent the first part of the season with USL PRO affiliate Richmond Kickers, playing five games and starting four. After dealing with an injury through the middle of the season, Kemp played eight games, starting six fixtures, including one Open Cup match.



COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

2012

During his senior year, Kemp received second-team All-ACC honors and started 10 games as a captain. Kemp suffered an injury during the season, but that didn’t stop him from tallying a career-high six assists, one coming against Louisville in the 2012 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship quarterfinals.

 

2011

Kemp played an integral part of tough Maryland defense that allowed a stingy 1.05 goals per game with eight shutouts. The junior received second team All-ACC honors and made an impact offensively with one goal and four assists.

 

2010

As a sophomore, Kemp started in all 23 games at left back, scored his first collegiate goal on a full volley in the 88th minute in the third round of the NCAA Tournament against Penn State to secure a 1-0 victory and a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Kemp was a key component in 15 shutouts on the year, tying the Maryland program-record for clean sheets in a season.

 

2009

Kemp earned an All-ACC Freshman Team selection, a Soccer America All-Freshman First Team selection, and was named a TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie Second Team honoree. He started in every match but one at left back, helping Maryland to nine shutouts. Kemp notched his first assist for the game-winner against Clemson.



HONORS

2008

Rated the No. 2 recruit by ESPN Rise Magazine and the No. 3 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, named an NSCAA All-American, and a member of the U-18 and U-20 U.S. National Team Pool.

 

2007

Received NSCAA All-American honors, All-State, team offensive and defensive MVP, and All-State Academic Honors all four years of high school.



ACQUIRED

January 17, 2013 - Selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.