Oct 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Fabian Herbers (14) high-fives fans as he runs onto the field prior to a game against the Orlando City FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

For the Philadelphia Union, this was a historical year for the team in terms of contributions from rookies.

Four rookies got significant playing time for the Philadelphia Union this season. Fabian Herbers, Keegan Roseberry, Ken Tribbett and Joshua Yaro were the crown jewels of a studded rookie haul for Earnie Stewart. Stewart settled on his draft targets and was aggressive in moving up to get his guys which paid off in the early returns.

While Roseberry and Yaro were integral to the defense, the rookie who is sometimes left out is Fabian Herbers. He had an effective rookie season racking up three goals and seven assists. Those assist numbers are actually the second most ever by a rookie in MLS history. But since Herbers didn’t get a consistent run of starts until after the all Star game, his hype train never left the station.

He’s done everything that the Philadelphia Union have asked of him playing striker, winger or centrally in the midfield but it was once he settled in, taking over the right wing, Herbers took off. I had the opportunity to talk to Herbers about his successes this season along with what he’ll look to change going into next year.

Chatting with Fabian:

Reflecting on your season what were a few of your biggest accomplishments?

Herbers: I think a big overall accomplishment was for the team to make the playoffs, we set that as a goal in the beginning and we achieved it. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make a run in the playoffs but overall we achieved the team goal. It was a satisfying season and certainly there’s hope for more in 2017.

Looking at the season, you ended up playing a lot of different positions, is there one that you prefer?

Herbers: I’m a versatile player so I can play certain positions and I’m comfortable doing that. I was pretty comfortable at the end of the season playing on the right especially with Keegan [Rosenberry]. We had a good understanding of each other and just going up and down, trying to get some runs forward and help him defensively.

It looked like once you made a run of starts your numbers really took off…

Herbers: Yeah, like you said, I was comfortable there and it was a good position. I haven’t played there in a while, to be honest, but yeah I can just play where the coach puts me and do what’s best for the team.

Coming into the league as a rookie, how much did it help that the team used so many rookies in key roles?

Herbers: Yeah it helped a lot, for me personally you can talk to the young guys and you feel like part of a group, part of something bigger because the Philadelphia Union trust the young guys. Earnie [Stewart] and Jim [Curtin] did a good job and we as rookies try to pay back with our performances.

What’s your biggest area for improvement heading into next season?

Herbers: I would say my overall fitness level could’ve been better. I got subbed out early a couple times but yeah I can improve certain things but overall just trying to improve my fitness to go 90 minutes next season.