WASHINGTON – When Andy Najar entered the game for D.C. United in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy, it marked the first time in league history that three Home Grown players were on the field at the same time for the same team.
Najar lined up alongside goalkeeper Bill Hamid and rookie defender Ethan White against the Galaxy. At one point, the trio played for D.C. United's academy team before signing professional contracts at one point or another over the last two years.
Longtime midfielder Santino Quaranta noted the occasion after the game.
“It’s important,” he said. “It’s something that you put a lot of emphasis on, bringing young guys up and them getting the chance to come along and train with the first team and do that kind of stuff is good.”
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: D.C. United 1, LA Galaxy 1
All three took various routes to the first team. Hamid (at right) was the first D.C. United academy player to sign a pro contract back in September 2009. He made his first MLS start of the season against LA after a long recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.
Najar, who took the league by storm last season and won Rookie of the Year, subbed in for Chris Korb, playing right back for the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s draw.
Of the trio, White is the newest to the professional ranks, signing from the University of Maryland after his sophomore year last fall. Saturday marked his MLS debut, and the rookie played well going up against Juan Pablo Angel and the LA attack.
Hamid, who played behind White in the Academy goal, thought the debutant looked good.
“I’m very proud of him,” Hamid said. “We had three academy players on the field [Saturday] and that speaks volumes for our academy team.”
White was thrust into action when expected starter Perry Kitchen was ruled out earlier in the day suffering with the flu. Despite not having much time to prepare, he battled Ángel for 90 minutes, limiting the prolific striker’s chances and keeping him off the score sheet.
Going forward, all three are solid players who will look to contribute as the season rolls on.
“They’re all great players and they can contribute any given day, so I think [the academy’s] working well,” Marc Burch said.
