Paul arriola

Not one to let opportunities go to waste, the Mexico-based rightwinger could not have dreamt of a better start to his life with the US national side, marking his debut with a goal and an assist against Puerto Rico in May and again on the scoresheet as Trinidad & Tobago were thumped 4-0 in the recent World Cup qualifier.

A surprise inclusion in Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad, the 21-year-old is one of only nine players to score in their first two outings for the United States and, as a winger who loves to take on defenders, he looks exactly what the side needs.

Born in California to parents of Mexican descent, he shone for the LA Galaxy youth team before joining Mexican top-flight side Tijuana in 2012. However, he continues to live in the USA, commuting across the border for training and matches.