MLS wins Homegrown game on penalty kicks

by Travis Clark

July 30, 2019

As part of this year's MLS All-Star festivities, the now-traditional Homegrown matchup saw the North American league side take on an Under-20 team from Chivas de Guadalajara in Liga MX.

A late goal from Toronto FC midfielder Noble Okello saw the MLS Homegrown side narrowly avoid defeat, securing a 2-2 draw in the second minute of added time. San Jose goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski saved two penalties in the shootout, and conversions from MLSers Sam Vines, Thomas Roberts and Cole Bassett secured a win for the Homegrowns.

Former Wake Forest star Omir Fernandez took advantage of poor marking and a lucky bounce in the third minute to tie the game -- Chivas took the lead in the first minute, with Chivas' Irving Martinez scoring the opener.

#RBNY 's Omir Fernandez with the opening goal!

<#MLSHomegrown Game pres. by @Energizer> pic.twitter.com/ex7BlRD4Qk
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2019

With the game tied 1-1 at the break thanks to an equalizer for the Liga MX side, Chivas took the lead 2-1 in the 70th minute on a finish from Sebastian Martinez. With just minutes to go before the win, Okello's tally from a set-piece scramble secured the last-gasp draw, setting the table for the win on penalty kicks.

MLS Homegrown Starters: Mason Stajduhar (Orlando City); Clement Bayiha (Montreal Impact), George Campbell (Atlanta United), Aboubocar Keita (Columbus Crew SC), Andre Reynolds (Chicago Fire); Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy), Edwin Cerrillo (FC Dallas), Gianluca Busio (Sporting KC); Benji Michel (Orlando City SC), Theo Bair (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Omir Fernandez (New York Red Bulls)

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast