RSL four named to MLS Homegrown Game roster

Landon Donovan (yes, that one) named his 2016 MLS Homegrown Game roster today, and wouldn’t you know, it’s filled to the brim with talented Real Salt Lake youngsters.

Danilo Acosta, Justen Glad, Phanuel Kavita and Jordan Allen were each named. Acosta and Kavita are the most surprising of the four, given the former hasn’t made an MLS appearance to date and the latter has played only a handful of MLS matches under his belt. Both have performed well for Real Monarchs.

Jordan Allen is the least surprising, given his escalating value within Real Salt Lake and within the league as a whole. Justen Glad has steadily become a starting figure in RSL’s backline, rendering his inclusion unsurprising.

The match will take place Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time at Avaya Stadium. The MLS Homegrown team will face the Mexico U-20 national team.

In a press release, RSL general manager Craig Waibel spread praise around the organization for the development of the four.

The invitation of four RSL homegrown players to this event is a phenomenal development for which the entire Real Salt Lake organization should take great pride ... Credit should go to the setup implemented by our Owner, Dell Loy Hansen, whose support of our academy and investment in our development infrastructure is unparalleled.

In Casa Grande, Ariz., Martin Vasquez and his staff are doing a fantastic job of preparing our kids mentally, physically, tactically and technically to challenge for professional minutes, at both the MLS and USL levels, within one-two-three years ... Obviously, with our structure, the Real Monarchs play a huge role in developing both the individual and the collective, so Freddy Juarez and his staff clearly deserve a ton of credit as well.

Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Maxime Crépeau (Montreal Impact)

Defenders: Danilo Acosta (Real Salt Lake), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Aaron Guillen (FC Dallas), Phanuel Kavita (Real Salt Lake), Jalen Robinson (D.C. United), Tyler Turner (Orlando City SC)

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Coy Craft (FC Dallas), Harrison Heath (Orlando City SC), Aaron Kovar (Seattle Sounders FC), Raul Mendiola (LA Galaxy), Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards: Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Jack McBean (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)