PORTLAND, Oregon - Tommy Thompson is in a state of flux these days. The able dribbler is never quite sure where he’ll be from one week to the next.

Since signing as San Jose’s first Homegrown in January, he’s played just one minute of first team action, as a late sub in a 1-0 loss to Toronto on June 7. Soon thereafter, he was loaned to affiliate USL Pro club Sacramento Republic FC, where he’s still in the picture. The USL Pro season stretches through September, and Thompson’s already played 489 minutes in eight appearances this summer. He expects he'll be involved as Sacramento pushes for a title.

But he’s still a player split between two worlds. Thompson is from Sacramento, and he’s currently living with his parents to help ease the travel burden when the Republic call him into games during his loan spell. But his proximity to San Jose - it's only a two hour drive - means the Earthquakes can buzz his phone at any time. He has a place to crash in the Bay Area with roommates Khari Stevenson and Shaun Francis, which means he’s always ready to pivot to an MLS roster at any time.

That includes his activities after All-Star week, where he played 45 minutes in the inaugural MLS Homegrown Game here at Providence Park.

“I don’t know if I’m going back to Sac or going up to San Jose for next week, so we’ll see,” Thompson said.

San Jose tested that idea when they called Thompson into the 18 for a match against Chivas USA on July 2. Thompson didn’t play, but it was an indication that he may be inching closer to first team minutes. A productive 45-minute stint in a recent friendly against Atletico Madrid only helped build on that notion.

“I think I’ve made a good impression in Sacramento,” Thompson said. “I think the coaches are seeing my play. I thought I did well against Atletico Madrid when I had a chance to play 45 minutes. I thought I did well with the national team. So I think the coaches are seeing me perform in other aspects. I’m hoping I’ll get a chance here in the future.”

Miazga’s national team future still undecided

One of the standouts from the Homegrown game was the play of New York Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga, who got his first MLS start in a 2-0 win over New England on June 8. He’s played 500 minutes in the Red Bulls’ last eight games, which encompasses six starts. There have been some undeniable growing pains as Miazga adjusts to the speed of the pro level, but he remains one of the Red Bulls’ most promising Homegrowns in the academy's history.

He’s also garnered some interest from coach Tab Ramos on the U20 level. He recently played in the U20s’ run to the title game in the Dallas Cup in April, and Miazga feels the interest from the U.S. He’s just not sure where he’ll pledge his future yet. He’s of Polish descent and represented Poland on the youth level as well as the U.S. He may be leaning one way, but he still sees his future as up in the air.

“Right now I can’t really make a decision,” Miazga said. “I haven’t really gotten called up to the first team for anyone. But the U.S. U20s have been calling me up on a regular basis, and I always talk to Tab a lot, and I’m in his plans. It looks like I’m moving forward with the U.S., but we’ll see what happens in the future. Whoever calls me up, I’ll be there.”

Serna enjoying role with Rapids

Dillon Serna’s rookie season in 2013 was a rocky ride. He signed as a Homegrown for the Rapids in January 2013, but he didn’t play a minute until he was subbed on in the Rapids’ final regular season game against Vancouver. He played the final 13 minutes of the game and trudged into an offseason of uncertainty.

Since Pablo Mastroeni took over on the sidelines in the offseason, Serna’s role expanded into one of the most involved of any Homegrown in the league. Serna earned his gig on the flank in the offseason, and he went the full 90 in the season opener. He’s since started 12 games and played in 18, garnering 1,152 minutes, two goals and three assists.

Serna is blooming into a Homegrown success story, but he can’t forget a time not long ago when he was locked in an unsuccessful struggle for playing time.

“Obviously I went through that last year with not playing too much,” Serna said. “It’s important for the guys to stay focused and keep working hard every day, and realize that their chance will come.”

After being an academy kid himself, Serna is now an example for the Rapids’ young guns trying to break through with the senior team. Every now and then Serna, 19, gets to play the role of the old vet to young players looking to make their mark.

“It does happen a little bit,” Serna said. “I just tell them to work hard every day and don’t give up. You have to go through - like what I went through last year - frustrating times. It makes you stronger. That’s proved in my case for this year.”

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13