Jun 28, 2014; Palo Alto, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes (11) controls the ball against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A number of young faces for the Los Angeles Galaxy are getting loads of plaudits by Major League Soccer and USL PRO. Bradford Jamieson IV of the Galaxy II and Gyasi Zardes of the Galaxy first team join 18 others to form the MLS Homegrown Game Roster, which will see the future face the Portland Timbers Under-23. Here is the roster, and a brief dossier on the Galaxy’s entries.
2014 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Roster*
Goalkeeper: Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City), Matt Lampson (Columbus Crew)
Defenders: Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Karl W. Ouimette (Montreal Impact), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Steven Evans (Portland Timbers), Wandrille Lefevre (Montreal Impact), Chris Ritter (Chicago Fire), Harry Shipp (Chicago Fire), Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Caleb Calvert (Chivas USA), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy), Sean Okoli (Seattle Sounders FC), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
* Should any of these players be selected to the game day roster for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star game, then that player would not participate in the Homegrown game.
Bradford Jamieson (LA Galaxy)
The sixth player to be signed as a homegrown for the LA Galaxy, Jamieson IV has thrived with LA Galaxy II scoring five goals in 13 appearances. Named to the USL PRO Team of the Week on May 27 after scoring his first two goals as a professional for LA Galaxy II against OKC Energy FC; earned his second USL PRO Team of the Week honors on June 10.
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
A versatile attacking player, Zardes has tallied three goals and one assist over 12 appearances in his second year with the LA Galaxy.
Meanwhile, Galaxy II midfielder Raul Mendiola and forward Charlie Rugg were named to the USL PRO Team of the Week. Rugg scored a brace in the 4-2 win for LosDos over Arizona United while Mendiola added a couple of assists. Here’s the list of players for this week’s USL PRO Team of the Week.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Joe Willis | Richmond | Posted four-save shutout as Kickers drew with RSL Reserves |
| D | Andrew Marshall | Pittsburgh | Scored game-winner in Riverhounds’ victory against Rhinos |
| D | Matt Bahner | Harrisburg | Strong defensively, took goal well in win against Charleston |
| D | Alfonso Motagalvan | Pittsburgh | Adapted well to new position, added goal, in win against Rhinos |
| M | Jose Barril | Harrisburg | Beautiful goal on free kick highlighted strong play vs. Charleston |
| M | Luke Vercollone | Richmond | Commanded the center of midfield against RSL Reserves |
| M | Raul Mendiola | LA Galaxy II | Pair of assists on Los Dos’ opening two goals against Arizona |
| M | Jimmy McLaughlin | Harrisburg | Goal and assist as City Islanders took victory against Battery |
| F | Mike Green | Pittsburgh | Two goals led Riverhounds to comeback win against Dayton |
| F | Aaron Schoenfeld | Dayton | Four goals in two games, including hat trick in win vs. Eagles |
| F | Charlie Rugg | LA Galaxy II | First-half brace keyed Los Dos’ victory against Arizona |
Honorable Mention – Arizona: Jonathan Okafor; Charleston: Shawn Ferguson; Charlotte: Jonathan Leathers, Drew Yates; Dayton: Joel DeLass, Sebastian Thuriere; Harrisburg: Morgan Langley, Richie Marquez; LA Galaxy II: Bradford Jamieson IV, Jack McBean; Pittsburgh: Danny Earls, Anthony Obodai;Richmond: Henry Kalungi, George Davis IV; Rochester: Alex Dixon.
As for the Galaxy Academy Under-16s, they will be in the Development Academy Finals Week after handing it to Vardar 5-2 at the StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. Finals Week is scheduled for July 17-19 at the Hub. Ethan Zubak and Rey Ortiz scored braces while Dylan Smith added a fifth to lead the Young G’s Under-16s.
Finally, Robbie Keane is celebrating his birthday this week. Take a look at some of the finest moments from the Galaxy captain.