As with any exhibition match, it's difficult to know what to expect when a group of players who have never played on the same team, take the pitch together. But while the cohesion was not always there for the MLS Homegrown squad in the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game, it was evident Tuesday night that there is no shortage of young talent in Major League Soccer and a portion of that talent resides in Kansas City.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jon Kempin was voted the Most Valuable Player of the inaugural match after recording two saves in 45 minutes of work in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers U-23s.
Both of Kempin's saves came in a three-minute span, as the home side pushed forward, looking to break the scoreless draw. Timbers U-23 midfielder Jacori Hayes, a sophomore at Wake Forest University and a member of the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team, tested Kempin with a low, driven show in the 63rd minute, but the Leawood native reacted quickly to block the attempt.
Less than two minutes later it was University of Washington midfielder Cristian Roldan who tested Kempin. Rolden picked up a ball 30 yards from goal and laced a shot that seemed destined for the lower left-hand corner of the net. Kempin dropped to his left quickly and parried away the attempt.
"I thought it was a really great match," the 21-year-old goalkeeper said. "[The Timbers] were a great team that provided great competition. Obviously, the result showed that it was a close game. I think we all had fun playing in it. We all worked hard and it was nice to get a good 45 minutes and get some playing time."
MLS Technical Director Alfonso Mondelo, who coached the MLS Homegrown team Tuesday night, was complimentary of Kempin's performance, in light of the fact that the second half favored the attacking sides.
"The goalkeepers had an opportunity to shine tonight, especially as the game went on and it became more of an open game," Mondelo said in a postgame press conference. "I thought he did quite well. He's had a few games already with Sporting KC and hopefully this will continue to build his confidence as he continues to get opportunities."
Kempin was not the only Sporting KC player to feature Tuesday night. Center back Erik Palmer-Brown, who in the last year has featured for the U.S. U-17, U-18 and U-20 national teams, started at right back for the MLS Homegrown squad. Palmer-Brown played 90 minutes, shutting down the left side of the Timbers U-23's attack to help preserve the shutout.
"I thought there were moments where he showed he was capable of reading the game and anticipating well, being able to get on the attacking end as well and delivering a few quality balls as well," Mondelo said of the 17-year-old center back.
While not accustomed to the outside back position, with late scratches to Colorado Rapids defender Shane O'Neill and New York Red Bulls defender Connor Lade, Palmer-Brown was more than eager to step up and fill whatever role Mondelo asked of him.
"I gained a lot of respect for [the position] after playing it," the Lee's Summit native said after the match. "It's a lot of running. I felt comfortable and going into the game the coach just told me to play my game. At the end of the day, it's soccer, and I wanted to play. It's the first homegrown game and however I could get into the game, I was going to play."
For now, Kempin and Palmer-Brown will return to Kansas City, eager to use this experience as a way to grow with Sporting KC. And for Kempin, he has the opportunity to return to Kansas City with a new piece of hardware.
"For this being the inaugural homegrown game, I think it's awesome," he said of being voted MVP of the match. "I think the entire defense played well, considering they all played 90 minutes. It is a great honor and it's great to bring it home to Kansas City."