United defender Jalen Robinson has been named to the Homegrown Roster for the 2016 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game for the second year in a row. The team, comprised of standout MLS Homegrown Players aged 23 or younger, is coached by Landon Donovan and will play against the Mexico Under-20 national team on July 27.
"Last year it was a lot of fun. It's always an honor to be coached by Landon [Donovan]," Robinson said. "I'm looking forward to the whole experience again."
Robinson, 22, became United's seventh Homegrown Player when he signed on January 6, 2014. After playing on loan at Arizona United SC and the Richmond Kickers, Robinson has made 5 appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League for United. On June 18 in Houston, he made his MLS debut when he replaced Nick DeLeon in the 89th minute. A week later, the center back notched his first career start against the New England Revolution on June 25 and was rewarded for his strong showing with an MLS Team of the Week nomination.
Started in 2014, the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game gives a platform to some of the league’s top young talent and showcases MLS’s youth development system. MLS academies have produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed with MLS first teams, with Homegrown Players logging a record 54,000 minutes played in 2015.
MLS Homegrown Players are a specialized group of players that 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.
