The 2019 MLS Homegrown Game was an exhibition soccer match organized by Major League Soccer (MLS) that showcased a selection of homegrown players from MLS clubs. The event was part of the MLS All‑Star Week festivities in 2019 and took place on July 31, 2019 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California (the home venue of Los Angeles Football Club).
Purpose and format
The Homegrown Game was created by MLS in 2014 to provide a platform for the league’s domestically developed talent—players who have progressed through an MLS club’s youth academy and signed a professional contract with that club—to gain exposure and experience in a high‑profile setting. The 2019 edition continued this tradition, featuring a roster of 22 MLS Homegrown Players selected by MLS officials and club representatives. The match was scheduled as a pre‑All‑Star event, allowing fans and scouts to evaluate emerging talent alongside the league’s marquee All‑Star celebrations.
Opposing team
In 2019 the MLS Homegrown XI faced the under‑20 national team of Mexico (Mexico U‑20). This inter‑association format, pairing MLS‑developed players against a youth national side, had been employed in several previous Homegrown Games to provide a competitive fixture that emphasized development over results.
Result
The contest concluded with a 2–1 victory for the Mexico U‑20 side. Goals were scored by (exact scorers not consistently documented in publicly available sources). The close scoreline underscored the competitive balance intended by the Homegrown Game’s design.
Roster selection
Players named to the 2019 MLS Homegrown roster were drawn from a range of MLS clubs, including but not limited to LAFC, Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls, and Seattle Sounders FC. Eligibility required that each player be classified as “homegrown” under MLS rules—having been developed in the club’s academy system and signed to a first‑team contract without entering the MLS SuperDraft.
Significance
The Homegrown Game serves as a developmental showcase within the broader All‑Star weekend, highlighting MLS’s investment in youth development pathways. Participation is considered a milestone for young players, often signaling readiness for increased first‑team responsibilities or attracting attention from national team selectors.
Legacy
The 2019 edition precedes the COVID‑19‑related disruptions to MLS events in 2020. While the Homegrown Game format continued in subsequent years, the 2019 fixture remains notable for its integration with the All‑Star weekend in Los Angeles and its role in promoting MLS‑developed talent on an international stage.
