They come from the same bucket, but I don't think they are the same thing. I think it would be awesome if they included a year of college for every year they are in a HG contract though.
Jordan buddy, fellow Rochestarian, don't let them lie to you. Homegrown is a status not a dollar amount. They pay based on leverage. If they think you are talented and hustle they will pay you more than those who don't. Don't advertise you have no incentive, you lose out in the end. They won't want to pay anything more than the minimum if you project laziness. Do your own research, when a player signs as a homegrown look up the MLS salaries. Earn a good contract. Ex: All Homegrowns- K. Gulley Chicago 62K A.Pineda Chicago 48K A.Horton Columbus 60K Leyva Dallas 70K Luna 79K McBean 76K Fagundez 53K Agudelo 85K Yes many HGs are at 40K but if you advertise you are pouting and not working hard you have no chance at the higher salaries that are available to you. Now go out and earn a higher salary. You have the talent to try hard to do so.
Pretty much, with a little bit of leverage, and lots of upside (which he appears to have) you will get paid. Excluding Gil for obvious reasons, you can see HG's getting signed out of HS instead of college are starting to see their wage level grow. Honestly 70k is a decent wage not far behind Euro counter parts (believe Wood was/is making in the 80s). And in MLS you are that much closer to the first team.
I watched Jordan at the 2010 DA Winter Showcase, and I thought that he had very nice potential. But his recent tweets really bothered me. I wonder where his head is at.
Red Bulls following suit? http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/soccerblog/red_bulls_to_receive_of_sale_of_YUdXzHtQz6vDdunvLQOjdK#ixzz1kPTF03VE