MLS: Named after a great, Keegan Rosenberry aims to make his name in football

The legacy of Kevin Keegan’s time at Newcastle United lives on in the American state of Pennsylvania. Some 20 years after the former Newcastle boss departed Tyneside, a defender in Philadelphia is fielding questions as to how he earned his unique first name, and how he came to support the Magpies.

“My dad was a big soccer fan when I was growing up, but not specifically a Newcastle fan,” Keegan Rosenberry told Yahoo Sport UK. “I think he just liked the name [Keegan]. Every time I was asked if I had a team in Europe I didn’t have an answer, and I like the answer to have a good reason, I don’t just want to pick a team because they’re winning. I thought [my name] was a good reason. It takes in the history a little bit and right now they [Newcastle] aren’t doing great, so I figured it’s a good enough reason to follow them.”

The former England boss would definitely admire his namesake. Rosenberry is an attacking full-back that is quickly establishing himself as the lead candidate for MLS’ Rookie of the Year. Selected 3rd overall in January’s SuperDraft, he flew somewhat under the radar, as teammate Joshua Yaro and Englishman Jack Harrison stole the headlines.

“Yeah I think that lack of pressure did help me a little bit,” he said. “Sometimes when you have all that media attention and hype around you it can be difficult. I think at the same time I had a certain confidence about me, so I didn’t need my name to be on the top of every headline.”

Chosen alongside his Georgetown University teammate Yaro, the move represented a bold decision by Sporting Director Earnie Stewart to overhaul the starting back four with new young recruits. However, Stewart’s strategy is already showing signs of promise, with the former US international earning a lot of praise as a consequence.

“I think with the arrival of Earnie, with some of the acquisitions we made, we knew early on the potential this team had,” Rosenberry said. “We could tell training together that this could be a good team if we got things right. I really like the impact he [Earnie Stewart] has had on the club. He’s a guy that just demands respect, and it’s an unspoken respect for sure. He’s very sharp but he’s also very modest at the same time. He wants to be out there everyday on the training field, shaking guys hands, and making sure they’re doing well.”

For Rosenberry in particular, the move to the Union holds a special significance. A native of Ronks, Pennsylvania, (which he describes as ‘Amish country’) the Union are, strictly speaking, Rosenberry’s local club. Consequently he has traversed a long road with the team, developing from a fan, to academy player, to now first team regular. “I think I’ve been very fortunate to come here to Philadelphia,” Rosenberry said. “I’ve said before there are guys that come into this league with just as much talent and a work ethic, but they’re stuck behind a team’s captain or a 10 year veteran. I also think I’ve been extremely fortunate not to suffer injuries. I’m really thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given.”

The 22-year-old’s place in the team is in no way based on sentiment, however. Growing into Major League Soccer, he has enjoyed some standout performances, most notably against Robbie Keane and the LA Galaxy. “I feel like I do a pretty good job of not focusing on the name of the guy I’m going up against,” Rosenberry said. “Scouting or tactics aside, I try to just pretend like it’s another player. That’s not meant to disrespect the guys we’re playing against. Some of the careers of the guys I’ve faced has been quite the experience, but I think when that starts to creep into your head you become tentative.”

That approach was somewhat harder to stick to when Rosenberry was selected for the MLS All-Star match against Arsenal last month. Training alongside the likes of Kaka and Andrea Pirlo, it had the defender just a touch starstruck. “I think if you look back at the videos, I probably wasn’t joking around with Kaka, Pirlo or [David] Villa,” he said with a laugh. “It was probably my teammates and guys in my age group. I’ve got so much respect for their accomplishments, and to train with them and see how they carry themselves is a great experience for me.”

Granted 45 minutes against the Gunners, Rosenberry once again enhanced his reputation with a solid showing. The defender revealed he has dreams of representing his country one day, and such a goal seems attainable when you consider his talent and humble personality. Still attempting to get used to the demands of professional soccer, he reached a rare stumbling block at the end of the All-Star match. “No I didn’t swap shirts,” he said with a laugh. “I was too nervous. I didn’t want to go up and be like, ‘can I have your shirt even though you probably don’t want mine?’”

Shifting his focus back to Philadelphia, Rosenberry’s team sit just inside the play-off spots in the Eastern Conference. Boosted this week by the signing of US international Alejandro Bedoya from FC Nantes, few are more excited by his arrival than Rosenberry. “It’s going to be exciting how things fit together,” he said. “I think after these recent games we needed something of a pick-me up. There’s just as much excitement in the locker room as there is surrounding the team.”

Now chasing an MLS Cup with the team he considers his own, Rosenberry can already consider 2016 a successful year in his burgeoning soccer career. And what better way to celebrate than with a trip to the place his namesake enjoyed so many happy memories in, if only to hear the locals indulge him in a story or two. “ I’m not that well travelled so I’d love to go one day [to Newcastle,,” he said.

Follow Kristan Heneage on Twitter: @Kheneage