CHICAGO (July 12, 2017) – Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Chicago Fire Homegrown midfielder Djordje Mihailovic has been selected to the 18-man roster for the 2017 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® against the Chivas de Guadalajara Under-20 team at Toyota Park on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. CT.
Mihailovic signed with the Fire on Jan. 27, 2017, becoming the ninth Homegrown player in Fire history. Hailing from Lemont, Ill., he joined the first team after representing the Fire at the Academy and PDL levels, including helping the Fire win the U-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship in 2015.
The 18-year-old made his professional debut when he entered in second half stoppage time of the Fire’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on March 11. Mihailovic has six league appearances and one U.S. Open Cup appearance in his rookie season.
Former Fire forwards and Chicago natives Brian McBride and Mike Magee will serve as coaches for the Homegrown game. During his playing career, Magee won 2013 MLS MVP honors playing for the Chicago Fire, while McBride participated in three World Cups with the United States National Team, concluding his outstanding MLS career with the Fire.
MLS Homegrown Game assistant coach Mike Magee will host a live Q&A session on the Chicago Fire Facebook page (facebook.com/chicagofire) on Thursday, July 13 at 1:30 p.m. CT to talk about the young Homegrown talent, coaching in his native Chicago, and answer questions about the match.
Tickets, starting at $10, may be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and include entrance to two events during 2017 MLS All-Star Chicago: the MLS Homegrown Game as well as the Generation adidas ESP Showcase Match being held immediately prior at 5 p.m. CT at Toyota Park. Tickets are now available by CLICKING HERE.
The 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 170 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs.
MLS Homegrown Players aged 22 or under were available for selection.
As part of a week of festivities surrounding the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, Toyota Park will host a full day of events on August 1 beginning with the adidas ESP game at 2:30 p.m. CT. In addition, MLS WORKS and ESPN will be hosting the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match immediately prior to the MLS Homegrown Game.
Media planning to cover the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® may apply for credentials by CLICKING HERE.
2017 MLS Homegrown Team Roster
Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls)
Defenders: Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers), Kortne Ford (Colorado Rapids), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Derrick Etienne Jr. (New York Red Bulls), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas), Ballou Tabla (Montreal)
Forwards: Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Bradford Jamieson IV (LA Galaxy)
