CARSON, Calif. (Monday, July 20, 2015) – MLS Homegrown Team head coach Landon Donovan has named LA Galaxy defender Oscar Sorto to his 22-man Gameday Roster for the 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game. The MLS Homegrown Team will take on the Club América U-20s on Tuesday, July 28 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 6 p.m. PT, streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, as part of the lead up to the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
Sorto, 20, made his first start for the Galaxy earlier this year, helping keep a shutout in a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo on May 22. In total, he has made three starts this season in MLS play after making his MLS debut last year. Earlier this year, Sorto earned his first call up to a USMNT training camp. He has also appeared on various youth national teams, including the U.S. U-20’s during the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the U.S. U-23 team.
Former LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan selected the 22-man roster from a pool of Homegrown Players nominated by all 20 MLS clubs.
Sixteen MLS clubs are represented on the MLS Homegrown Team. Sorto will be joined by fellow U.S. Under-23 teammates Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids) Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United). Also highlighting the Homegrown roster are U.S. Under-20 players Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), 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 Club América U-20 side features Mexicans Alejandro DÃaz 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.
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.
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)
