MARIETTA, Ga. – Reno 1868 FC goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and Toronto FC II midfielder Liam Fraser played a leading role as the MLS Homegrowns played to a 1-1 draw with Tigres UANL U20s of Liga MX in the 2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer at the Atlanta United Training Center on Tuesday night.

Marcinkowski recorded three big saves to record a scoreless first half for the MLS Homegrowns, with the first arriving in just the seventh minute as he produced a tremendous reflex stop to deny Tigres’ Rafael Duran. 

Tigres shot-stopper Marcos Barbosa at least matched Marcinkowski’s stop in the 19th minute as he recovered to keep out a big chance for Bethlehem Steel FC loanee Anthony Fontana after former Real Monarchs SLC standout Sebastian Saucedo had rounded Barbosa to set up the chance.

Marcinkowski got the better of Duran again in the 28th minute with a tremendous save after the Tigres forward got past his marker inside the penalty area to set up a one-on-one chance. That save proved even bigger when Fraser – whose 55 USL appearances were the most of any player in the MLS Homegrown squad – put his side ahead in first-half stoppage time after a free kick by Atlanta United’s Andrew Carleton was headed Fraser’s way by New York City FC’s James Sands.

The MLS Homegrown squad thought it had added a second goal in the 68th minute when a counterattack led by LA Galaxy II standout Efrain Alvarez saw FC Dallas’ Jesús Ferreira produce a fine finish, but a Video Review saw the goal ruled out for an infraction prior to the goal, and Tigres struck from the ensuing free kick through Adrián Garza with 13 minutes to go. 

The visitors were reduced to 10 men a minute later when Jorge Cruz was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, and the MLS Homegrown squad tried to press late as Swope Park Rangers standout Wan Kuzain forced a save from Tigres goalkeeper Sebastian Ulloa in the first minute of stoppage time. The game ended all square, however, as honors ended even between the sides.