Taylor Kemp
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 153
Defender
Born: July 23, 1990
Age: 22
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colo.
College: University of Maryland
Acquired: Signed on March 5, 2013
D.C. United today announced that the club has signed University of Maryland defender Taylor Kemp, the 17th overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Kemp was United’s lone selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Taylor,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He will provide us as an excellent option as an attacking left back, and we look forward to his future with our club.”
Hailing from Highlands Ranch, Colo., Kemp made an immediate impact on a top-ranked Maryland squad, starting in every match but one, adding two assists and contributing to nine shutouts as a freshman in 2009. At the end of his rookie campaign, Kemp was an All-ACC Freshman Team pick and a Soccer America All-Freshman Team selection. Breaking out during his sophomore year with 23 starts, one goal and four assists, Kemp was a part of a Terps backline that tied a program record for shutouts (15) in a season. During his junior campaign in 2011, the defender was an integral part of a stingy Maryland defense that allowed only 1.05 goals per game. Kemp also tallied one goal and four assists in 21 starts and would subsequently be named a Second Team All-ACC selection. As a senior captain in 2012, Kemp appeared in 12 games and added six assists en route to receiving Second Team All-ACC honors.
A Colorado native, Kemp was a member of the U-18 and U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team pools and traveled to England and Argentina as a player on the U.S. youth national teams. As a part of Real Colorado’s U-18 Academy, the fullback was selected to the U-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Starting XI in 2008. During his senior year at Mountain Vista High School, Kemp was named an NSCAA All-American, an All-State selection and team offensive and defensive MVP.
