[HOMEGROWN WATCH] Former MetroStars field rat Matt Kassel became the latest homegrown player to make his MLS debut when he came off the bench twice in recent New York Red Bulls game.

The Red Bulls once considered signing him out of high school, but he played three seasons at Maryland before joining them on a homegrown contract.

Another Terrapin, Ethan White, went the homegrown route this winter and is now starting for D.C. United.

Kassel's father, Tim, was the MetroStars' director of operations, so Matt spent a lot of time with the team.

One of the things Matt would do when he hung around the MetroStars was work out with goalie Tim Howard.

Before games, Kassel would pepper Howard with shots, delighting the Giants Stadium faithful when he scored on Howard, whom he still keeps in touch with.

“I have a lot of memories from that,” Kassel told mlssoccer.com. “Those memories have made me where I am today.”

ARMSTRONG KNOCKED OUT. Midfielder  Davy Armstrong, Colorado's first homegrown signings, became the latest Rapids player to go down when suffered a concussion after a shot from close range during a drill struck him.

Armstrong told the team trainer he couldn't remember what was going on, so she asked him a battery of tests. When he said the president was George Bush, he was sent to the doctor, who confirmed the concussion.

He hopes to resume (light) training later this week to assess his situation.

FUTURE PROSPECTS. D.C. United U-16 academy player Collin Martin had the tying goal in his club's 2-2 tie with New England Tuesday in the MLS Reserve League. U-18 Brad Volv also started for D.C. United on the backline. Also playing were academy players Cody Albrecht, Mikias Eticha and defender Tyler Rudy.


2011 HOMEGROWN PLAYERS
GP-G PLAYER TEAM
11-0 Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver)
10-2 Juan Agudelo (New York)
10-0 Andy Najar (D.C. United)
9-0 Ruben Luna (FC Dallas)
9-0 Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
8-0 Ethan White (D.C. United)
8-0 Russell Teibert (Vancouver)
3-0 Alex Dixon (Houston)
2-0 Matt Kassel (New York)
2-0 Oscar Cordon (Toronto FC)
1-0 Tristan Bowen (Chivas USA)
1-0 Keith Makubuya (Toronto FC)
1-0 Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC)