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Later today, the MLS Homegrown All-Stars will be taking on defending Liga MX U-20 champions Chivas de Guadalajara at Toyota Park in Chicago. The match will be broadcast on Univision Deportes and Facebook at 6 p.m. MT.
Representing the Colorado Rapids in the match tonight will be our rookie homegrown defender Kortne Ford. Ford has quickly become a regular starter and key member of our back line, and scored his first MLS goal to beat Sporting Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in May.
Homegrown team coaches Mike Magee and Brian McBride have been very impressed with what they’ve seen from the young players so far. “It’s awesome. These kids are studs and they’ve all got smiles on their faces, which is important,” Magee told reporters yesterday. “Good for them to come in here with the right mentality. It’s fun.”
He also sees the talent these guys are demonstrating as an exciting time for MLS: “These kids are good on the ball and confident and I think some of these kids were born in like 2000, 1999, and they’ve got a better touch than I ever had, so it’s exciting for the league.”
Ford is excited and ready to take full advantage of the opportunity:
The full homegrown roster includes many guys with international experience:
Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls)
Defenders: Kortne Ford (Colorado Rapids), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Derrick Etienne Jr. (New York Red Bulls), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United), Jose Hernandez (Real Salt Lake), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy)
Tim Howard will be representing the Rapids in the MLS All-Star match vs. Real Madrid on August 2 at 6:30 p.m. MT.