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Raul Mendiola enjoying training stint with Manchester City, eyes future in England
Mexican-American teenager Raul Mendiola in midst of six-week training stint chats with Goal.com about his progress and citizenship.
Nov 11, 2011 3:15:00 PM
By J.R. Eskilson
J.R. Eskilson
Last month, Los Angeles Galaxy Academy player Raul Mendiola arrived in England for a six-week trial with Manchester City.
Mendiola, who is the two-time U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-16 player of the year, has been training with both the U-18 and Elite Development Squad at the Manchester club since his arrival.
“Everyone is really nice at City and they have all been really welcoming,” Mendiola told Goal.com in an e-mail interview on Friday. “The coaches have been helping me a lot. They have complimented me on the way I play but have also told me areas I can improve.”
The 17-year-old has wowed and amazed scouts with his deft touch and stunning elusiveness while normally playing against players a few years older than him.
“The game here is faster and more physical but I am taking it all on board and trying to adapt,” Mendiola added. “I have played two friendlies for the U-18s, scored two goals and have a few assists. I will start to train with the reserves soon and may get to play a game for them also.”
The playmaker started the season with LA Galaxy’s Academy, but only played three games with the team before departing for England.
“The standard has been good at U-18, not too different from Galaxy, who I really enjoyed playing with too,” Mendiola replied when asked to compare the training between the clubs. “The standard in the EDS is better though and there are some talented players in there from around the world.”
Mendiola has become a bit of a globetrotter as well, as he also spent six months with Mexican club Pachuca.
“He was at Pachuca for six months on a contract so they are entitled to training compensation for the time he spent there,” Mendiola’s agency told Goal.com on Friday.
While Mendiola does have Mexican citizenship and trained with the Mexico U-15 national team a few years ago, he told Goal.com in the past that he would “love to play here in the U.S.,” but pointed to the difficulty of gaining citizenship.
His citizenship is an ongoing process that the player does not want to worry about at this point.
“I am just focused on my football right now and my priority is to do well at Manchester City so I can fulfill my dream and stay here,” he said. “This is where I want to be right now and we will see where my citizenship stands in the future but it is being worked on.”
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Mendiola, who is the two-time U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-16 player of the year, has been training with both the U-18 and Elite Development Squad at the Manchester club since his arrival.
“Everyone is really nice at City and they have all been really welcoming,” Mendiola told Goal.com in an e-mail interview on Friday. “The coaches have been helping me a lot. They have complimented me on the way I play but have also told me areas I can improve.”
The 17-year-old has wowed and amazed scouts with his deft touch and stunning elusiveness while normally playing against players a few years older than him.
“The game here is faster and more physical but I am taking it all on board and trying to adapt,” Mendiola added. “I have played two friendlies for the U-18s, scored two goals and have a few assists. I will start to train with the reserves soon and may get to play a game for them also.”
The playmaker started the season with LA Galaxy’s Academy, but only played three games with the team before departing for England.
“The standard has been good at U-18, not too different from Galaxy, who I really enjoyed playing with too,” Mendiola replied when asked to compare the training between the clubs. “The standard in the EDS is better though and there are some talented players in there from around the world.”
Mendiola has become a bit of a globetrotter as well, as he also spent six months with Mexican club Pachuca.
“He was at Pachuca for six months on a contract so they are entitled to training compensation for the time he spent there,” Mendiola’s agency told Goal.com on Friday.
While Mendiola does have Mexican citizenship and trained with the Mexico U-15 national team a few years ago, he told Goal.com in the past that he would “love to play here in the U.S.,” but pointed to the difficulty of gaining citizenship.
His citizenship is an ongoing process that the player does not want to worry about at this point.
“I am just focused on my football right now and my priority is to do well at Manchester City so I can fulfill my dream and stay here,” he said. “This is where I want to be right now and we will see where my citizenship stands in the future but it is being worked on.”
Follow J.R. ESKILSON on
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