CHICAGO (July 12, 2016) – The Chicago Fire announced Tuesday that Homegrown rookie midfielder Joey Calistri has been selected by MLS Homegrown head coach Landon Donovan to the 20-man roster for the 2016 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game. The young MLS team will take on the Mexican Under-20 National Team in the third annual Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game on Wednesday, July 27 at 8 p.m. CT at Avaya Stadium.
“It’s a great opportunity and a great honor to be selected for the Homegrown Game,” said Calistri. “To be out there with other young homegrown players is going to be a great experience and I can’t wait to go out to San Jose and represent the Fire. Landon Donovan is someone I grew up watching all through my childhood, he’s a player who has shaped me and a player I try to model my play after, so it’s going to be cool to learn some lessons from him and get some insight.”
Signed to a Homegrown contract on Dec. 17, 2015 after a standout collegiate career at Northwestern University, Calistri made his professional debut when he entered in the 81st minute of the Fire’s season opener against New York City FC on March 6. In 10 league appearances, including two starts, Calistri has tallied one goal and one assist, scoring his first professional goal against the Colorado Rapids on June 18.
WATCH: Joey Calistri equalizes with his first professional tally
A total of 11 MLS clubs are represented on the Homegrown roster, with Donovan nabbing 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), and forwards Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Jack McBean (LA Galaxy) and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC).
MLS Homegrown Players aged 23 or under were available for selection.
The Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the league’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate topflight prospects and have now produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs.
2016 MLS Homegrown Team Roster
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)
