Ghana’s young defender Joshua Yaro was selected by Philadelphia Union as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft on January 14.

Prior to his draft, Yaro had played three seasons with the Hoyas, started 57 games and was named an NSCAA First Team All-American and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.

The Ghanaian has become a constant figure in the Union’s defensive set up after his debut against Seattle Sounders as they seek to book a ticket to the post-season.

Yaro granted an audience to Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net) and below is the PART I of our conversation:

Ghana Soccer US: For those who don’t know you very well, who is Joshua Yaro?

Joshua Yaro: I played in college all these while and this is my first time in professional soccer so I am somebody who is trying to put up my name out there and be the best that I can be. It is early for me and it is still the learning process. Just a young Ghanaian kid who is trying to make it on top.

Ghana Soccer US: Second overall pick for MLS SuperDraft, how special was that?

Joshua Yaro: It was a great moment and something that I have worked for my whole time in college. For me it was a humbling experience and I was really glad to have obtained that position and especially ending up with a team like Philadelphia Union who truly knew me and really had a plan for my development. Looking back now, it is a big relief that I ended up with Philadelphia Union because I was praying everyday to get picked by a club that will value me and develop me as a player and so far, I can say Philadelphia Union has exceeded my expectation. Being a number 2 pick was great, it was great day for me, it is a time I will never forget in my life.

Ghana Soccer US: Does it put you under some sort of pressure that you need to prove to the soccer world why you were the second pick overall?

Joshua Yaro: In a lot of ways, if you come in as a rookie, no matter what pick you are, you going to have that pressure. As a new player, you have to fight for a start and you have to prove that you are good enough to play at this level. And playing for Philadelphia on the big stage comes with huge expectation that I can come in and add to the team but this is a team that believes in me and knows that I can do well. So even though it comes with some pressure, at the same time, it gives me a level of comfort knowing that they believed in me and have a plan for me. That gives me confidence to go out there, be myself, play my game and learn as a player.

Ghana soccer US:Do you think college soccer with Georgetown has prepared you very well for professional soccer?

Joshua Yaro: I give a lot of credit to the coaches of Georgetown University for the level of development. The coaches and the program in Georgetown helped me develop as a player. It is another level when you get to the professional because one has to step up his game every time but I think my time at Georgetown has contributed a lot to my success now.