A look at the MLS All-Star and Arsenal FC rosters and players to watch.
SAN JOSE — Chivas de Guadalajara product Luis Marquez stole the show as the MLS Homegrown squad just could not seem to click soon enough against Mexico’s U-20 national team in a 2-0 loss in Wednesday’s exhibition.
In a match that is supposed to highlight the league’s brightest young stars, the Homegrown players found themselves chasing the fast Mexican team up and down the field at Avaya Stadium. Marquez led an aggressive Mexican offensive side with two goals in the first half.
The national team’s offense started off like a wildfire, dominating on the attack in the opening half with five shots on goal. Marquez’s first goal came on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute.
The goal came after a couple of near-goals for the Mexican side, including an extraordinary save from Homegrown goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez on a shot from Ulises Jaimes.
Marquez would score again in the 45th minute on an impressive direct free kick that just got by the outstretched Gonzalez. Despite allowing the two goals, Gonzalez, who had three saves in the first half, saved the MLS team from being down even worse in the first half.
Just before Marquez’s second goal, the Homegrowns had a golden opportunity in the 42nd minute after a breakaway from Jordan Hamilton. In a oneon-one with Mexico goalkeeper Abraham Romero, Hamilton struck a ball that narrowly missed to the right of the post.
After a first half that saw the Homegrown team get overmatched, the young MLS stars did seem to turn things around a bit in the second half.
Earthquakes forward and Homegrown captain Tommy Thompson, who became the only player to compete in three MLS Homegrown games, nearly cut the lead in half in the 56th minute on a perfect set up to Jack McBean for a header, but McBean’s header also just missed to the right.
“It took us about 45 minutes to jell but once we worked the kinks out I thought we played really well and showed what some of the young guys in the MLS can do,” Thompson said.
With the game being in San Jose, Thompson had no shortage of support from the hometown fans in attendance. He received the loudest ovation during the introductions and was cheered whenever he touched the ball.
“The support here in San Jose is unreal,” Thompson said. “To hear the home fans cheer me on and push me forward even when things got tough tonight was motivating.”
Thompson would leave the match in the 62nd minute as Homegrown coach Landon Donovan was looking for a spark off the bench. He subbed Jordan Morris for Thompson with hopes of creating more offense, but that never came to fruition as the former Stanford star was kept quiet for the duration of the match.
Mexico was just the allaround better team, with Marquez going on to win the game’s MVP award.
Despite the loss, Donovan did see positives from the players who he believes will carry the MLS to the next level.
Chivas de Guadalajara n has scheduled an exhibition Oct. 7 against Liga MX rival Monarcas Morelia, according to Livermore promoters Latin Entertainment. The 8 p.m. kickoff at Avaya Stadium features Chivas, which is considered Mexico’s most popular team. Guadalajara is the only club in Liga MX that exclusively uses Mexican players. Tickets go on sale Aug. 4.