It's like having two MLS All-Star Games in one week.
Two days before the AT&T MLS All-Star Game between the best players in MLS and German champions Bayern Munich in Portland (August 6 on ESPN2, UniMas, TSN and RDS), the first-ever Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game will be played and the roster was officially unveiled on Wednesday.
The match, which will take place on August 4 at 7pm PT and will be streamed live on WatchESPN and Timbers.com, will feature a group of 20 of the top MLS Homegrown players facing the Portland Timbers U-23s at Providence Park. Fans can secure free tickets to the game by clicking here. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and quantities are limited.
Players representing 12 MLS clubs will make up this year’s Homegrown team, including Portland Timbers midfielder and University of Portland alumnus Steven Evans, Seattle Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin, who recently starred for the US national team at the World Cup in Brazil, and Chicago Fire midfielder Harry Shipp, who is currently a leading candidate for AT&T Rookie of the Year.
Other players selected who have established themselves as regulars with their teams include Colorado Rapids defender Shane O'Neill, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert, Columbus Crew midfielder Wil Trapp, and LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes.
All MLS clubs were asked to nominate eligible players for the game and based on availability, injuries and other criteria, the final 20 were selected in consultation with MLS director of player programs Alfonso Mondelo, who will coach the Homegrown squad on August 4.
2014 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Roster
Goalkeepers (2):Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City), Matt Lampson (Columbus Crew)
Defenders (6): Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Karl Ouimette (Montreal Impact), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders (6):Steven Evans (Portland Timbers), Wandrille Lefevre (Montreal Impact), Chris Ritter (Chicago Fire), Harry Shipp (Chicago Fire), Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Forwards (6):Caleb Calvert (Chivas USA), Bradford Jamieson (LA Galaxy), Sean Okoli (Seattle Sounders FC), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Should any of these players be selected to the game day roster for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, then that player would NOT participate in the Homegrown Game.
Caleb Calvert (Chivas USA)
Scored seven goals in 12 games with the U-18 team this 2013-14 USSDA season; the youngest player to sign a professional contract in Chivas USA history
Steven Evans (Portland Timbers)
The University of Portland product starred for the Timbers U-23s from 2009-2012 and helped the team win the 2010 PDL Championship; earned All-West Coast Conference honors in all three of his collegiate seasons.
Bradford Jamieson (LA Galaxy)
The sixth player to be signed as a homegrown for the LA Galaxy, Jamieson IV has thrived with LA Galaxy II scoring five goals in 13 appearances. Named to the USL PRO Team of the Week on May 27 after scoring his first two goals as a professional for LA Galaxy II against OKC Energy FC; earned his second USL PRO Team of the Week honors on June 10.
Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City)
Currently on loan with Sporting Kansas City’s USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC where he was named to the Team of the Week for week 12; member of the U.S. U20 men’s national team squad
Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls)
Made four appearances for the Red Bulls this season after being a regular contributor to the team during their 2013 Supporter’s Shield run
Matt Lampson (Columbus Crew)
Named the Crew’s 2013 Humanitarian of the Year; made 13 starts in goal for the Crew, recording five shutouts
Wandrille Lefevre (Montreal Impact)
Made his MLS debut on April 27, 2013 against the Chicago Fire and recorded an assist in the 2-0 victory; played his way onto the field in 2014, starting and playing in a full 90 minutes in five consecutive games from May 10 – June 11.
Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC)
A solid presence left back since making his MLS debut in 2011; named the Canadian U20 Player of the Year in 2011
Sean Okoli (Seattle Sounders FC)
Two appearances for the Sounders this season; scored in the team’s 5-0 win over PSA Elite in their U.S. Open Cup matchup
Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids)
Has played in 41 of the last 43 Rapids matches for which he was eligible, starting all but two; scored his first career MLS goal against Montreal on 5/24/14
Karl Ouimette (Montreal Impact)
Has nine appearances, including eight starts for the Impact; part of the lineup when Montreal won their second consecutive Amway Canadian Championship this year.
Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City)
The youngest player in MLS history to start a regular season match as a defender; appeared in three games this season, including two starts
Chris Ritter (Chicago Fire)
Made five starts for the Fire in his rookie campaign; named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors while at Northwestern
Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids)
Scored his first career goal on April 26, 2014 at Seattle; also has two assists in 13 appearances (8 starts) this season after debuting in the final regular season match of 2013.
Harry Shipp (Chicago Fire)
MLS Player of the Week after scoring a hat trick in Chicago’s 5-4 win against New York in Week 10; leading Rookie of the Year candidate has tallied six goals and four assists in 15 games this season.
Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Had a breakout season in 2013 recording a team-high nine assists and scoring two goals while starting 19 of his 24 appearances.
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
First homegrown player in San Jose history; has tallied four assists in five appearances with the Earthquakes reserves in 2013.
Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Featured prominently for the Crew over the last two seasons, starting all 29 games in which he’s played; member of the U.S. U-20 men’s national team, played in all three group matches at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and was named U.S. Soccer’s 2013 Young Male Athlete of the Year.
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Regular starter for Seattle, he is the first MLS homegrown player to play for the U.S. in a World Cup; recently helped the U.S. national team advance to the Round of 16
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
A versatile attacking player, Zardes has tallied three goals and one assist over 12 appearances in his second year with the LA Galaxy.
