The 2017 MLS Homegrown Team will be taking on the Liga MX champs.
Major League Soccer announced Saturday that Chivas de Guadalajara’s Under-20 team will oppose some of MLS's brightest young stars the fourth annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer (August 1, 8 p.m. ET) at Toyota Park. For the second consecutive year, the match – one of events leading-up to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target – will be broadcast live on national television on UDN, with a stream on facebook.com/univisiondeportes (MLS LIVE in Canada). Chicago natives Brian McBride and Mike Magee will coach the MLS Homegrowns.
Tickets, starting at $10, may be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and include entrance to two events during 2017 MLS All-Star Chicago: the MLS Homegrown Game as well as the Generation adidas ESP Showcase Match being held immediately prior at 6 p.m. ET at Toyota Park.
The Chivas U-20s bring an accomplished track record, having captured the Liga MX Under-20 title in May. Numerous players have received time with the Chivas reserve team along with the first team side that captured its record 12th Liga MX title (also in May). The squad had five players represent Mexico at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the most of any Liga MX team.
The MLS Homegrown Game provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the League’s youth development system, which has now produced more than 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs. Homegrowns logged a record 54,000 minutes played in 2016, more than quadruple the minutes played from 2011.
“The continued growth of Major League Soccer’s youth academy system and development of the future stars of the sport remain at the forefront of the league’s long-term initiatives,” said Todd Durbin, Executive Vice President of Player Relations and Competition. “The MLS Homegrown Game offers a unique opportunity to showcase the talent our clubs have produced. We are excited to have the Chivas Under-20 team as this year’s opponent and we look forward to what promises to be a competitive match.”
In 2017, seven Homegrown standouts: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution) and Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), have been called to represent the senior U.S. Men’s National Team. Nine others played for the United States in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup earlier this year, helping push the team to a second consecutive run to the tournament quarterfinals.
Outside of the U.S., five Homegrown Players have been tapped for the Canada National Team's 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster, with Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal Impact), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Maxime Crepeau (Montreal Impact), and Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) all receiving the call up for Les Rouges.
MLS Homegrown Game History
- 2016:MLS Homegrown Team 0-1 Mexico U-20s
- 2015:MLS Homegrown Team 1(4)-1(5) Club América U-20s
- 2014:MLS Homegrown Team 0–0 Portland Timbers U-23s
MLS HOMEGROWN PLAYERS are a specialized group of players who have been a member of an MLS club’s youth development program for at least one year and have met the necessary training and retention requirements. Players that meet those qualifications can sign a professional contract with the club’s senior team without being subject to the SuperDraft.
