San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Tommy Thompson has enjoyed being part of the MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game, but with this year’s edition being held at his club’s home, Avaya Stadium, next Wednesday’s experience is promising to be that much more special. 

“To be able to have the opportunity to play in front of the home fans at Avaya Stadium is something I’m really looking forward to,” Thompson said by phone recently.

The 20-year-old made history a year ago when he scored the first goal in the game’s history as the Homegrown team played to a 1-1 draw with Club America’s U20s before falling in a penalty shootout at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado.

This year, many of the group brought together by Coach Landon Donovan have a common thread among them, with Thompson one of 16 players in the 20-player squad to have played in the USL over the past two seasons. For Thompson, making the trip to Sacramento to play for Republic FC has been a regular occurrence since he signed with the Quakes, and he has appreciated what the club has had to offer him as he and other loanees like Adam Jahn build their professional careers.

“We’re young guys who just want to play and get better, and Sacramento Republic provides a great outlet for us to perform on a different stage when the minutes aren’t coming with San Jose,” Thompson said. “I think Adam and I have both played some good minutes with San Jose as well, but we want to stay sharp for when our number is called, and Sacramento gives us a great place to play.”

Thompson has had an impact on Republic FC when sent on loan this season, earning USL Player of the Week honors after a two-goal performance against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on May 14. His experience is becoming a common one. With the partnership between the USL and MLS in the middle of its fourth season, more young Academy graduates are getting regular minutes across the league, with players like Real Salt Lake’s Justen Glad and Toronto FC’s Jordan Hamilton translating their success in the USL to consistent minutes in MLS.

For Thompson, seeing that progression – and getting to take on his counterparts while with Republic FC – has been enjoyable.

“Yeah, it’s fun to line up against other Homegrowns across the league in the USL,” he said. “It’s great to see those same players then succeed in MLS because it shows it is possible, and guys can find success in both leagues.”

What has also been noticeable is the recent trend of players signed initially to USL contracts making the jump to Major League Soccer as Homegrown signings. USL leading scorer Jack McBean of the LA Galaxy II and Alphonso Davies of Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 both took that route, and it’s likely others will follow that path sooner rather than later.

• RELATED: Davies Makes Solid Impression in MLS Debut

Seeing players emerge like the 15-year-old Davies, and the numerous players who are now competing regularly in the USL as young professional or Academy signing, is exciting for Thompson, and something he believes will create benefits for everyone in the long run.

“I think that’s the most important thing, for young American players to be getting professional minutes as early as possible,” Thompson said. “You can see the quality across the league with some of the young guys who’ve done really well. I’m excited for them, and I’m excited for American soccer because anytime young players can get professional minutes, the entire U.S. Soccer Federation will benefit.”

With Homegrown signings like FC Dallas’ Coy Craft and Seattle Sounders FC’s Victor Mansaray also getting the majority of their minutes in the USL this season, that impact on the national team program could come sooner rather than later. Both players, alongside the likes of Bethlehem Steel FC’s Auston Trusty and the LA Galaxy II’s Hugo Arellano, were part of the U.S. U20 National Team that won the recent NTC Invitational as Coach Tab Ramos and his team began to build toward next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea.

A member of the U.S. U20 side that competed in New Zealand at last year’s tournament, Thompson will get the chance to pass on his experiences to some of the younger players in the group next week.

“When the Homegrown Games come along and our paths cross it’s definitely a good opportunity for the older guys to speak to the younger guys about what’s to come,” Thompson said. “The Under-20 World Cup is a special opportunity for anyone that’s involved in it, being able to let young guys know how important that time of their lives is is beneficial to everybody.

“I treasured every moment down there in New Zealand. I thought we had a great run and I thought we were unlucky to get knocked out on PKs by the eventual World Cup champions. It was a great experience playing under Tab Ramos, and it was a great group of guys that showed well at that tournament.”

As next week’s Homegrown Game approaches, though, Thompson has his aim firmly on another good performance in front of his home fans, and then getting his name on the scoresheet more frequently in the second half of the season for the Quakes as they look to secure a place in the MLS Playoffs.

With the experiences he’s gained from the USL to the world stage, Thompson’s future is full of possibility.

“I’m in a great spot here in San Jose,” he said. “It’s a great home for me, and I’m looking forward to the future. It’s been a learning curve over the course of the past two-and-a-half years, but I feel like I’m acclimated now and ready to make an impact.”