Fabian Herbers

PLAYER PROFILE:  FABIAN HERBERS

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: MID
Primary Role: Attacking Midfielder
Height: 6’0””
Weight: 170
DOB: 08-17-1993
Nationality: Germany
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: Philadephia Union (MLS)

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Has not made an international appearance for Germany.

CURRENT STATUS:

Drafted 6th overall by the Philadelphia Union in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

PLAYING CAREER:

2012-2013: VfL Rhede (Oberliga) – 25 games, 1930 minutes, 7 goals, 17 assists
2013: Creighton (NCAA – D1) – 17 games, 13 starts, 3 goals, 4 assists, 17 shots on target, 5 yellows
2014: Creighton (NCAA – D1) – 22 games, 21 starts, 10 goals, 6 assists, 34 shots on target, 5 yellows
2015: Creighton (NCAA – D1) – 23 games, 23 starts, 15 goals, 17 assists, 45 shots on target, 5 yellows

ANALYSIS:

From Ahaus, Germany, Herbers played youth soccer with FC Twente in Holland and Pressen Munster in Germany before joining Oberliga Niederrhein side VfL Rhede where he played the role of attacking midfielder and in charge of all the clubs dead ball opportunities. He finished the 2012-2013 season with seven goals and 17 assists in 1930 minutes over 25 games.

Herbers joined Creighton prior to the 2013 season with fellow German Marvin Iskra, with Coach Elmar Bolowich saying that “These players will compete for immediate playing time and based on our evaluations, they are talented enough to do so.” Over his first two seasons with the Blue Jays the midfielder scored 13 goals, including a number from direct free kicks and outside of the 18-yard box. He has ten assists and 51 shots on target in 39 games, 34 in a starting role. In 2014, Herbers was a finalist for Top College Player of the Year, won Big East Top Offensive Player of the Year and selected for the NCAA All-America team. Herbers had a stellar 2015 season, finishing with 15 goals, 17 assists and helping lead the Bluejays to the NCAA tournament losing in the Quarterfinals to Akron 3-2 in double OT.

His performances the last two seasons earned him a Generation Adidas contract by MLS, making him the top international prospect coming out of NCAA. At Creighton, his main role has been left wing opposite to his good foot so he could cut in a take a shot from the edge of the box, however he might lack the speed and defensive quality to play this role as a regular in MLS. Herbers is also a good passer, can cross and very effective on dead-ball situations both as a shooter and provider. Herbers was drafted 6th overall by the Philadelphia in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, looked at as a key attacking player for the future.

HIGHLIGHTS:

+ German with Dutch academy experience
+ 2014 NCAA All-American
+ Scored a number of goals and assists from dead ball situation
+ Finished with 15 goals and 17 assists with Creighton in 2015
+ Drafted 6th overall by Portland Timbers in 2016 MLS SuperDraft