Landon Donovan will coach the MLS Homegrown Team against the Mexico Under-20 National Team in the third annual Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game tonight at 9 PM ET at Avaya Stadium. Held the day before the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game between MLS and English Premier League club Arsenal, this year’s Homegrown Game will air live on Univision Deportes Network, marking the first time the match will be broadcast on national television.
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.
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.
"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.
Both of the previous editions of the MLS Homegrown Game have ended in a draw, with the Homegrowns playing the Portland Timbers U-23s to a scoreless tie in the inaugural match in 2014 before tying 1-1 and losing in penalties to the Club América U-20s last year.
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 Benítez 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)
