Derrick Etienne added to MLS Homegrown game

It appears there will be another New York Red Bulls player participating in the festivities in San Jose this coming week. Joining All-Star selection Sacha Kljestan and Homegrown pick Tyler Adams is fellow Homegrown player Derrick Etienne.

Though not part of the original Homegrown Game roster released, Derrick Etienne looks to be a late addition to the game. Etienne is the second addition to the roster, joining fellow Haiti under 23 international, Zachary Herivaux.

The MLS 'Chipotle' Homegrown game takes place prior to the All-Star game, and will see some of the best academy-produced talent in Major League Soccer take on the Mexican U20 National Team, under the coaching guidance of Landon Donovan and Stuart Holden. The game takes place on Wednesday, July 27th at 9:00 PM EST at Avaya Stadium and will be streamed online.

Though yet to feature for the first team, Etienne, 19, has consistently impressed for New York Red Bulls II in the USL this year and last. After first wowing fans and coaches alike with his USL performances last year as an amateur academy player, Etienne was signed this winter to a Homegrown deal after just one season at the University of Virginia. This year, on loan to NYRBII from the first team, Etienne is key player for the second place NYRBII team, leading the team in assists with four while adding two goals of his own over the course of 16 games.

Derrick Etienne was absent from New York Red Bulls II's most recent game - the team's first loss in 12 games - as he with Haiti's U23 team, participating in a friendly against Argentina's Olympic team. Though Haiti lost the game 3-1, Etienne did provide the assist for Les Grenadiers' lone goal of the game. Recieving the ball wide in the box, the winger created a bit of space by beating the Argentine defender with what appears to be an elastico. Etienne then served in a driven, low cross which was tapped in by the oncoming Haitian attacker for the island nation's lone goal of the game.

Congratulations to Derrick Etienne on the assist and the Homegrown game callup. Both are well deserved.