Columbus Crew SC’s Matt Lampson has been selected, along with teammate Ben Swanson, to the 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game roster. The goalkeeper played in last year’s inaugural version of the contest, representing the Black & Gold alongside Wil Trapp in Portland.
Crew SC becomes one of only two MLS teams to have multiple representatives two years in a row. The other club is the Colorado Rapids, the host of this year’s Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
Set to face the Club America Under-20 team, U.S. National Team Legend Landon Donovan will lead his hand-picked MLS Homegrown Team as head coach.
"It’s always an honor,” Lampson says of the nomination. “I went last year and it was a big step in my career and it’s good to be recognized, but to be recognized by a great like Landon Donovan is even more so. It’s a pleasure, and I can’t wait to play for him, and hopefully I don’t make him regret his decision."
Lampson jokes about showing Donovan he chose wisely, but he performed well in last year’s match keeping the MLS Homegrown Team’s slate clean for the first half against the Portland Timbers' U-23 team. This year, he is one of five players making their second appearance in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
"Just the overall allure of Portland and the All-Star week was awesome,” Lampson says. “And getting to be a part of the inaugural Homegrown Game was pretty special as well, so I don’t doubt that Denver is going to be any different, and I’m really looking forward to it."
Originally signed by Crew SC as a Homegrown Player on December 15, 2011, Lampson has made 16 career appearances for the club (14 starts). Over that span, the former Ohio State Buckeye has made 50 saves with five clean sheets, a 1.44 goals-against average and a record of 9-6-0. He is currently on loan with the Charlotte Independence of the USL where he has started all three of his appearances with 13 saves and a 1.00 goals-against average.
Lampson says competing with an amalgamation of the League’s players for the MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game is a fun challenge.
"I think playing with brand new guys right away is a difficult thing to do, but hopefully I will help meld this together and put on a good performance,” Lampson says. “It was a great time [last year], great experience and I can’t wait to do it again.”
Lampson and Swanson are set to participate in the match on Tuesday, July 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado as part of the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game festivities.
