Preview: Kuzain and Lindsey set for 2018 MLS Homegrown Game on Tuesday

2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer
MLS Homegrown Team vs. Tigres UANL U-20
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground | Marietta, Georgia
Tuesday, July 31 | 7 p.m. CT | Twitter & UDN

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal and defender Jaylin Lindsey have ventured to Atlanta to compete in the 2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer.

The Sporting KC duo has joined an ultra-talented MLS Homegrown Team that will face the Tigres UANL U-20s in the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT. The match will stream live exclusively on Twitter via live.twitter.com/mlsenunivision and @MLS from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Atlanta.

Lindsey and Kuzain will be the third and fourth players in Sporting KC history to compete in the MLS Homegrown Game, joining former goalkeeper Jon Kempin and former defender Erik Palmer-Brown. Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan will coach the MLS Homegrown Team, which consists of 20 Homegrown Players from 13 different clubs.

2018 MLS Homegrown Team Roster

Goalkeepers (2): JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Sean Melvin (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Defenders (6): Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Matthew Real (Philadelphia Union), James Sands (New York City FC), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders (9): Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy), Anthony Fontana (Philadelphia Union), Liam Fraser (Toronto FC), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United), Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal (Sporting Kansas City), Cameron Lindley (Orlando City SC), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake)

Forwards (3): Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Ben Mines (New York Red Bulls)

Held the night before the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target — which will feature Sporting KC duo Ilie Sanchez and Graham Zusi facing Italian powerhouse Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — the MLS Homegrown Game provides an opportunity to showcase Major League Soccer’s burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the league’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate top-flight prospects and have now produced over 170 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs.

Joining a list of formidable opponents to participate in the MLS Homegrown Game, Tigres UANL’s U-20 team captured the Liga MX Under-20 title in May and features numerous players that have received time with both the Tigres reserve squad and the first team side that has lifted the Liga MX title in three of the last six tournaments.

Kuzain, 19, has recorded one goal and one assist while starting five of eight competitive appearances for Sporting KC this season. The Sporting KC Academy product debuted in a 0-0 draw with Columbus Crew SC on May 27 and scored his first professional goal six days later against Minnesota United FC, becoming the club’s second-youngest goal scorer in the MLS regular season. Kuzain added his first assist to fellow Homegrown Player Daniel Salloi in a 3-2 Open Cup victory over FC Dallas on June 23.

Lindsey, 18, has earned 10 appearances for Sporting KC in all competitions since debuting in a 4-1 win over Minnesota United FC on June 3. The Sporting KC Academy product has seen action at left back and right back and recorded his first MLS assist in a 3-2 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on July 14. Lindsey has started six of the club's last seven MLS matches.

Sporting KC's MLS Homegrown Game Participants