Homegrown History
The Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game was founded in 2014 as a partnership between MLS and Chipotle Mexican Grill, with the intent of featuring the best Homegrown Players throughout the league.
Forward Thinking
MLS and US national team legend Landon Donovan returns as coach of the Homegrown squad, joined by former USMNT and MLS midfielder Stu Holden, as well as Chris Sharpe (Colorado Rapids) as assistants. Donovan's selections – aged 23 and under, with an eye on the attack following a pair of draws – are led by USMNT regular Jordan Morris of the Seattle Sounders. Bay Area native Tommy Thompson, a US youth international, will make his third straight appearance in the mid-year match. He'll represent the hometown San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium, with the local crowd rooting for another strong performance after last year's goal against Club América.
Real Salt Lake placed a league-high four selections to this year's roster, with regular first-teamers Justen Glad and Jordan Allen joined by Danilo Acosta and Phanuel Kavita. FC Dallas' prolific youth development system is also well-represented with a trio of standout prospects: US youth international winger Coy Craft, defender Aaron Guillen and goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, a Mexican youth international still eligible for a one-time switch to an interested USMNT.
CONCACAF Champs … Again
The Mexico U-20s rank as one of the region’s accomplished youth national teams, laying claim to 13 CONCACAF U-20 Championship titles, including the past three editions of the tournament (2011, '13 and '15).
Highlighting the Mexico U-20 roster are Chivas midfielder Luis Márquez, who featured for Mexico in the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Morelia forward Ulises Jaimes, a Mexico Under-23 Toulon Tournament participant, and Pachuca goalkeeper Abraham Romero, who started for Mexico in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile last year. A familiar face is also slated to take on the MLS Homegrowns in goalkeeper Christian Herrera, who is currently on loan with Pachuca from Real Monarchs SLC – Real Salt Lake’s USL affiliate. In addition, four players born in 1995 were included on the traveling roster.
2016 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game Rosters
MLS Homegrown Players
Goalkeepers (2): Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Maxime Crépeau (Montreal Impact)
Defenders (6): Danilo Acosta (Real Salt Lake), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Aaron Guillen (FC Dallas), Phanuel Kavita (Real Salt Lake), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United), Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC)
Midfielders (7):Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Zachary Herivaux (New England Revolution), Christian Lucatero (Houston Dynamo), Raul Mendiola (LA Galaxy), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Forwards (4):Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Jack McBean (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Inactive:Aaron Kovar (Seattle Sounders FC), Harrison Heath (Orlando City SC)
Mexico U-20s
Goalkeepers (2): Abraham Isai Romero Gonzalez (Pachuca), Christian Herrera (Pachuca)
Defenders (6): Jose Villegas Cruz (Pachuca), Edwin Lara Barrios (Pachuca), Pablo Jaquez Isunza (Pumas), Cesar Ulises Hernandez Perez (Chivas), Bryan Salazar Haro (Chivas), Aldo Yanin BenÃtez Montes (Toluca)
Midfielders (7): Miguel Angel Tapias Davila (Mineros), Andres Iniestra Vazquez (Pumas), Jorge Alberto Escamilla Moreno (Pumas), David Israel Avalos Toro (Chivas), Luis Alberto Márquez Quezada (Chivas), Ruben Dominguez Lopez (Chivas), Ian de Jeses Arellano Lira (FC Juarez)
Forwards (4): Omar Islas Hernandez (Pumas), Daniel Armando Rios Calderon (Chivas), Luis Fernando Cruz Ontiveros (Zacatepec), Ulises Jaimes Huerta (Morelia)
