Mexico manager Tata Martino showered praise on two of the LA Galaxy's young stars, Efrain Alvarez and Julian Araujo, and also revealed his latest effort to get both players to commit to Mexico at the senior international level over the United States.
Speaking in his first press conference in six months, Martino spoke of the potential of the LA Galaxy duo, per ESPN's Tom Marshall. Martino said that Alvarez, a Mexico youth international, has a "bright future" with Mexico, should he stay the course. As for Araujo, the coach spoke to him last a few weeks ago and that the decision rests with the player, his family, and his agent.
Both are still eligible to represent the United States as Mexican-Americans born in California. Alvarez, 18, started by representing the United States at the U-15 level, but joined the Mexico youth setup in 2017. Araujo, 19 meanwhile, has spent all of his years as a youth international representing the United States and featured for them in the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter made a further statement of interest in Araujo when he called him up for this year's January camp, but he did not make his first appearance. Both players are still uncapped at the senior international level.
