NEW YORK / SANDY, UT (Monday, July 20, 2015) – Two of Real Salt Lake’s youngest players – M/F Jordan Allen and DF Justen Glad – have been chosen to participate in next week’s Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game against the Club America U-20s, Homegrown Team head coach Landon Donovan announced today. The MLS legend’s 22-man Gameday Roster faces the Club América U-20s next Tuesday, July 28 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 7 p.m. MT as part of the league’s All-Star festivities, with the game streaming live on MLSsoccer.com.
Donovan selected the 22-man roster from a pool of Homegrown Players nominated by all 20 MLS clubs. Tickets to the 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game can be purchased at www.chipotlehomegrown.com. The Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game provides a yearly opportunity for MLS to showcase its top young talent and youth development system. MLS club youth academies have now produced nearly 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs.
RSL is one of 16 MLS clubs represented on the 2015 MLS Homegrown Team, which sees two players from the host club Colorado Rapids – Shane O’Neill & Dillon Serna – joined by fellow U.S. Under-23 teammates Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United) and Oscar Sorto (LA Galaxy). Also highlighting the Homegrown roster are two of Allen’s U.S. Under-20 teammates, Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City) and Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes), who helped the U.S. reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup this past June.
The Club América U-20 team is the official youth squad of Mexico’s most successful club, which has recorded 12 Liga MX titles, five Copa Mexico cups and five Campeon de Campeones titles. Club América took home the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League title after defeating the Montreal Impact this past April.
The accomplished Club América U-20 side features young Mexican standouts Alejandro Díaz and Rodrigo Gonzalez, both of whom represented Mexico at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The two were also members of the U-20 squad that won the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Diaz, along with defender Bryan Colula, have both made two appearances for Club América in the ongoing International Champions Cup, featuring in the club’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on July 14 and 1-0 loss to Manchester United on July 18. Midfielder Daniel Vásquez Sosa also appeared in ICC action in América’s 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on July 12. The full Club América U-20 Travelling Roster can be found below.
Chicago Fire standout Harry Shipp will make his second Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game appearance this year. After a remarkable 2014 rookie season, Shipp has continued his fine form in his sophomore year, notching two goals and five assists for the Fire in 19 appearances.
Also joining the Homegrown ranks for the second time is Canadian Men’s National Team member Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC). The young Ontario, Canada, native was most recently part of the Canadian roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and notched his first international goal this year in Canada’s 2-0 win over Dominica in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on June 11.
2015 MLS Homegrown Team Gameday Roster
Goalkeepers: Matt Lampson (Columbus Crew SC), Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas)
Defenders: Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Eric Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United), Oscar Sorto (LA Galaxy), Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC)
Midfielders: Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Sean Davis (New York Red Bulls), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union), Memo Rodriguez (Houston Dynamo), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Harry Shipp (Chicago Fire), Ben Swanson (Columbus Crew SC), Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Alex Zendejas (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Kianz Froese (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal Impact), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Bios for 2015 MLS Homegrown Team
Jordan Allen Midfielder Real Salt Lake Nationality: USA Born: April 25, 1995
Allen was part of the U.S. U-20 team that competed at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup that reached the quarterfinals of the tournament upon losing in a shootout to eventual champions Serbia. He signed as a Homegrown Player with Real Salt Lake on Dec. 31, 2013. Allen has been a key contributor to RSL’s 2015 season and scored his first career MLS goal with the game-winner in RSL’s 2-1 victory over Toronto FC on March 29. Allen also has two assists on the season in 15 total appearances for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Prior to RSL, Allen spent one season at the University of Virginia where he helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2013 NCAA College Cup Final Four.
Jay Chapman Midfielder Toronto FC Nationality: Canada Born: January 1, 1994
After a decorated collegiate career at Michigan State, Chapman signed as a Homegrown Player with Toronto FC on January 15, 2015. The Ontario native made his professional debut with the Reds in the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship and made his first career MLS start versus LA Galaxy on July 4. Chapman represented Canada at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Coy Craft Forward FC Dallas Nationality: USA Born: May 23, 1997
Signed as a Homegrown Player by FC Dallas on August 1, 2014, and helped the club’s U-18 squad to a U.S. Soccer Development Academy Texas/Frontier Division title. Craft has also played seven games with the United States U-18 squad, participating in the 2014 International Tournament of Václav Ježek and the 20th Annual Lisbon Tournament. The Virginia native made his MLS debut against the Portland Timbers on October 25, 2014, and has made one appearance for FC Dallas this season.
Sean Davis Midfielder New York Red Bulls Nationality: USA Born: February 8, 1993
Davis signed as a Homegrown Player on December 11, 2014, following four years at Duke University. There, the New Jersey native was a standout, captaining the team for two years while making 63 starts. The midfielder made his MLS debut in the Red Bulls’ 2-0 win against San Jose on April 17, 2015, and has made six appearances on the season. Davis spent three semesters with the U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla. He has played for the U.S. U-15, U-17, and U-18 teams.
Kianz Froese Midfielder Vancouver Whitecaps FC Nationality: Canada Born: April 16, 1996
Froese joined Whitecaps FC Residency in 2012 and signed as a Homegrown Player on September 15. 2014. Froese made his professional debut with the club in the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship semifinal and has played in seven MLS matches for Vancouver this season—netting his first career goal in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on June 20. The midfielder was born in Havana, Cuba, before relocating to Manitoba, Canada at the age of one.
Justen Glad Defender Real Salt Lake Nationality: USA Born: February 28, 1997
Glad became the seventh Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy product to sign a Homegrown Player contract on April 4, 2014. He made his MLS debut on May 30, 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in RSL’s 2-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The California native is an experienced U.S. youth international who has featured for various age groups.
Jesse Gonzalez Goalkeeper FC Dallas Nationality: Mexico Born: May 25, 1995
FC Dallas made Gonzalez its 10th Homegrown Player singing on March 21, 2013. Gonzalez is an experienced Mexican youth international and helped lead Mexico to the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, resulting in qualification of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Anthony Jackson-Hamel Forward Montreal Impact Nationality: Canada Born: August 2, 1993
The Quebec native signed as a Homegrown Player on August 1, 2014, and debuted for Montreal in a 401 Derby versus Toronto FC the next day. Jackson-Hamel later made his first career start versus New England on September 13, 2014. In total, he has made nine MLS appearances since, including five this season. On the international stage, the forward was a member of Canada’s U-20 squad in the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Matt Lampson Goalkeeper Columbus Crew SC Nationality: USA Born: September 6, 1989
Lampson signed as a Homegrown Player with Crew SC on December 15, 2011. The keeper played two seasons at Northern Illinois University before transferring to Ohio State, where he posted an impressive 0.86 GAA in 55 matches started. He started 13 matches in 2013, racking up five shutouts for Crew SC and served as Steve Clark’s backup all throughout the 2014 season. This is Lampson’s second appearance at the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Shane O’Neill Defender Colorado Rapids Nationality: USA Born: September 2, 1993
O’Neill signed a Homegrown Player contract with Colorado on June 19, 2012. O’Neill has featured over 50 times for his club and has racked up over 4,000 minutes in four seasons. O’Neill is an experienced U.S. youth international and helped lead the U.S. U-23 team to a third-place finish in the 2015 Toulon Tournament, where he was named third-best player in the prestigious showcase. This is O’Neill’s second appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Erik Palmer-Brown Defender Sporting Kansas City Nationality: USA Born: April 24, 1997
The 18-year-old Palmer-Brown is the youngest signing in Sporting KC’s history. Signed as a Homegrown Player in August of 2013, Plamer-Brown is one of the top youth prospects in the country. Palmer-Brown was named to the U.S. U-20 team for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and started the final group stage match before being eliminated in the quarterfinals. Palmer-Brown became the youngest defender in MLS history to start a match in May 2014.
Zach Pfeffer Midfielder Philadelphia Union Nationality: USA Born: January 6, 1995
Signed as the Union’s first ever Homegrown Player on December 22, 2010 at age 15, subsequently becoming the fourth youngest player to sign an MLS contract. Pfeffer made his MLS debut on September 17, 2011, and scored his first career goal in a 2-1 loss to Columbus on October 26, 2014, after spending 2013 on loan in Germany. The midfielder has appeared in 18 MLS matches with Philadelphia this season, starting eight games and scoring two goals. He has also earned call-ups to the U.S. U-20 and U-23 national teams this year.
Jalen Robinson Defender D.C. United Nationality: USA Born: May 8, 1994
Robinson was D.C. United’s seventh Homegrown Player to sign with the first team on January 6, 2014. Prior to United, Robinson played collegiately at Wake Forest University where he played two seasons and was an All-ACC Freshman Team selection. The Maryland native represented the U.S. U-23 squad in the 2015 Toulon Tournament, helping the team to a third place finish. Robinson has made two U.S. Open Cup appearances for D.C. United this year.
Memo Rodriguez Midfielder Houston Dynamo Nationality: USA Born: December 27, 1995
Joined the Houston Dynamo Academy with the U-16s before signing as a Homegrown Player contract on December 4, 2014. Rodriguez scored six goals in 25 games for the Dynamo Academy U-18s in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League in 2014. The Wharton, Texas native was named Dynamo Academy Players’ Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2013. While on loan with the Charleston Battery this season, Rodriguez has scored one goal and registered an assist in 12 appearances.
Dillon Serna Midfielder Colorado Rapids Nationality: USA Born: March 25, 1994
Serna was signed as a Homegrown Player by the Rapids on January 14, 2013 and put himself into the club’s record book’s when he became the first Homegrown Player to score a goal on April 26, 2014. Serna was part of the U.S. U-23 roster that finished third-place in the 2015 Toulon Tournament. He competed one season at college powerhouse University of Akron, where he was named to the Soccer America All-Freshman First Team. This is Serna’s second appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Harry Shipp Midfielder Chicago Fire Nationality: USA Born: November 7, 1991
One of the best rookies in 2014, Shipp racked up seven goals and a team-leading six assists in his first season as a professional. Shipp has continued to impress in 2015, notching two goals and five assists in 19 appearances, all of which are starts. He was signed as a Homegrown Player with the Chicago Fire on January 9, 2014 upon graduation at the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, Shipp captained the Fighting Irish to the 2013 NCAA Championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College Cup as a senior.
Oscar Sorto Defender LA Galaxy Nationality: USA Born: August 8, 1994
Sorto signed as a Homegrown Player with the Galaxy on December 11, 2012. He played much of the 2014 season with Galaxy II in USL, where he received regular minutes and helped the club finish third place during the regular season en route to reaching the semifinals of the USL Playoffs. Sorto made his first team debut on April 6, 2014 in a 3-0 win over Chivas USA and has made three appearances this year. The California native was named to the U.S. U-20 squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where he made two appearances and has been a recent call-up to the U.S. U-23 team.
Ben Swanson Midfielder Columbus Crew SC Nationality: USA Born: July 18, 1997
Swanson joined Crew SC’s youth program as an eight-year-old in 2006 before signing as a Homegrown Player on October 16, 2014. The midfielder has featured for several U.S. youth teams, including U-18 call-ups for the 21st International Tournament of Václav Ježek and the 20th Annual Lisbon Tournament. He has also worn the captain’s armband for the U-18s on multiple occasions.
Russell Teibert Midfielder Vancouver Whitecaps FC Nationality: Canada Born: December 22, 1992
Teibert joined Whitecaps FC as a Homegrown Player on March 17, 2011, following a youth career that included Canadian U-17 Player of the Year awards in 2008 and 2009. The Ontario native and Generation Adidas signee was one of four players to join Whitecaps FC Residency during its second year of existence. Teibert made his MLS debut on March 19, 2011, and has played in 83 MLS matches since. This season, the midfielder has made 15 appearances, including 10 starts, and has notched an assist. He was also on the Canadian Men’s National Team’s 23-man roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and notched his first international goal in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in June. This is Teibert’s second appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Tommy Thompson Forward San Jose Earthquakes Nationality: USA Born: August 15, 1995
The first ever Homegrown Player in San Jose Earthquakes history, Thompson signed a contract with the first team on January 22, 2014. The midfielder/forward became the second youngest player to start a match for San Jose on August 20, 2014, and totaled 13 appearances in his debut MLS campaign. Thompson has made 10 MLS appearances, four of which are starts, in 2015 while splitting time with the United States U-20 squad. He appeared in all but one match at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, and joined the team again for the NTC Invitational.
Tyler Turner Defender Orlando City SC Nationality: USA Born: March 4, 1996
Turner became the club’s fourth MLS signing upon joining the league from USL. The Orlando City SC Academy product was a former U.S. U-18 captain and has appeared in four matches for Orlando City, making two starts in his first season in MLS.
Alex Zendejas Midfielder FC Dallas Nationality: USA Born: February 7, 1998
Joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2012 and signed as a Homegrown Player on October 1, 2014. Became the first Homegrown Player signed from one of the club’s youth affiliates, FC Dallas El Paso. Zendejas made his MLS debut in Dallas’ 4-1 win over Houston on May 1, and has made four more appearances since. The El Paso native also has 27 caps and four goals with the United States U-17 squad.
Club América U-20 Travelling Roster
Goalkeepers: Omar Lascari, Jonathan León
Defenders: Edson Alvarez, Bryan Colula, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernández, Edgar Portilla, Gustavo Rodriguez, Jesus Veyna
Midfielders: Saulo Cabrera, Francisco Córdova, Brandon Garcia, Jonh Gonzalez, Antonio Lopez, Javier Rabadán, Juan Rodriguez, Victor Rodriguez, Carlos Rosel, Daniel Vázquez
Forwards: Alejandro Díaz, Fernando Gonzalez, Sergio Rodriguez
