CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, July 12, 2016) – MLS Homegrown Team head coach and LA Galaxy legend Landon Donovan has named his 20-man roster for the 2016 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game. Donovan selected LA Galaxy’s Jack McBean and Raul Mendiola to the roster that includes some of the league’s most accomplished young stars. The team will take on the Mexico Under-20 National Team in the third annual Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game on Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m. PT at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Tickets to the 2016 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game can be purchased at www.chipotlehomegrown.com.
Both players are set to make their first appearances in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game. McBean, who recently re-signed to LA Galaxy on June 22, 2016, has made two MLS appearances and one start for the Galaxy in 2016 in addition to making appearances in two U.S. Open Cup games. McBean was signed to the Galaxy after an electric start to his season with LA Galaxy II of USL – his 13 USL goals continue to lead the league.
In total, McBean has made 19 MLS appearances and nine starts for LA Galaxy, scoring two goals since originally joining LA Galaxy in 2011 as a Homegrown Player. At age 16, McBean became the youngest player in LA Galaxy history to play in a game, start a game and score a goal.
Mendiola was signed to LA Galaxy in February 2014. Since then, Mendiola has made three starts for the Galaxy while featuring also for LA Galaxy II. This season, Mendiola has started both of the Galaxy’s U.S. Open Cup matches recording one goal and one assist. His game-winning goal against Portland Timbers on June 29 put the Galaxy through to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals.
A total of 11 MLS clubs are represented on the Homegrown roster, with Donovan nabbing goalkeepers Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Maxime Crépeau (Montreal Impact), defenders 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 Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Harrison Heath (Orlando City SC), Aaron Kovar (Seattle Sounders FC), Raul Mendiola (LA Galaxy), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes), and forwards Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Jack McBean (LA Galaxy) and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC).
MLS Homegrown Players aged 23 or under were available for selection.
The MLS Homegrown Team will take on its most formidable opponent to date in the Mexico U-20s, one of the region’s accomplished youth national teams. The Mexico U-20s lay claim to 13 CONCACAF U-20 Championship titles, most recently winning the past three editions of the tournament in 2011, 2013 and 2015. The Mexico U-20 travelling roster will be named at a later date.
The Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the league’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate topflight prospects and have now produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs.
2016 MLS Homegrown Team Roster
Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Maxime Crépeau (Montreal Impact)
Defenders: 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: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Harrison Heath (Orlando City SC), Aaron Kovar (Seattle Sounders FC), Raul Mendiola (LA Galaxy), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Forwards: Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Jack McBean (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Raul Mendiola Midfielder/Forward LA Galaxy Nationality: Mexico Born: May 18, 1994
Signed as the seventh academy player in Galaxy history in February 2014, Mendiola made a career-high three appearances for LA in his 2014 rookie season. Most recently, Mendiola shined in the Galaxy’s 1-0 U.S. Open Cup victory over Portland Timbers on June 29, propelling the team to victory with six recoveries, two clearances, two tackles and scoring the game’s only goal. This is Mendiola’s first appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Jack McBean Forward LA Galaxy Nationality: USA Born: December 15, 1994
McBean became the youngest signing in LA Galaxy history after agreeing to terms with the team in April 2011 at the age of 16. In 2013, McBean registered career highs with seven starts in 15 matches played including one goal and two assists. After leading the USL in goals while with LA Galaxy II in 2016, the Galaxy senior squad re-signed McBean. This is McBean’s first appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
