:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60033945/Imago_671774.0.jpg)
The MLS Homegrown Game has become an annual part of MLS All-Star Week since it was first played in 2014. The past three editions have seen MLS go up against the top under-20 teams from Liga MX and Mexico, first against Club America in 2015, followed by the Mexico U-20s in 2017 and Chivas’ U-20s last year.
Today, MLS announced details for its fifth annual Homegrown Game, which will be played on July 31 - the night before the All-Star Game - at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta Training Ground and feature the under-20 squad from Tigres. Atlanta United Academy director Tony Annan will coach the MLS homegrowns.
“It’s exciting,” Annan said of the opportunity to face Tigres. “It’s a great thing for the young guys in the league to play such a great team with some tradition and some history. I think it will be a really good challenge for the guys who are selected to play...I’m really excited to work with some of the best young players in the league.”
Last year’s game in Chicago featured some familiar faces in Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin, with Carleton starting and playing the first 60 minutes and Goslin assisting on a stoppage-time equalizer against Chivas to help MLS to a 2-2 draw. We should hear of Annan’s selections, which is sure to involve a couple of Atlanta players, in the coming weeks.
MLS also announced a cool event that will be held before the match: the Special Olympics Unified all-star game. It’s always great to see Special Olympics members in action, and fans will get the chance to watch them prior to the Homegrown Game as there are sure to be some local faces among that group as well.
You can purchase your tickets (starting at $15) by clicking here.