Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union today announced that both midfielder Derrick Jones and defender Auston Trusty have been named to the 2017 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® roster. The pair will represent Philadelphia at the match against the Chivas de Guadalajara Under-20 team. The game takes place on Tuesday, August 1 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois as one of the events leading up to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target and will be broadcast live on UDN (8:00 p.m. ET).
“This is a terrific honor for both Derrick and Auston and is another positive recognition of the quality and potential they bring to our team,” said Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. “Both players had excellent showings at the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup earlier this year and we are confident that they will also represent Philadelphia Union proudly at the MLS Homegrown Game in Chicago.”
This is set to be the fourth edition of the MLS Homegrown Game, an annual event that pits a team of MLS Homegrown players against opponents that have included Mexico’s U-20s and Club America’s U-20s in the past. This year, the team is set to be coached by Chicago natives and former MLS greats Brian McBride and Mike Magee.
WATCH: For media download and usage, please click below for video soundbytes of both Jones and Trusty discussing their selection to the 2017 MLS Homegrown Game:
Derrick Jones video
Jones and Trusty become the second and third players to ever represent Philadelphia at this event, following Zach Pfeffer, who was a member of the MLS Homegrown team in both 2014 and 2015.
MLS Homegrown Players are a specialized group of players who have been a member of an MLS club’s youth development program for at least one year and have met the necessary training and retention requirements. Players that meet those qualifications can sign a professional contract with the club’s senior team without being subject to the SuperDraft.
