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.”