Mexico forward Santiago Tomas Gimenez, left, is congratulated by Julian Vicente Araujo during the first half of the team's international friendly soccer match against Chile, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Right back Julián Araujo made his Mexican national team debut in Wednesday night's 2-2 exhibition draw against Chile, almost exactly one year after playing his only match for the United States.
The 20-year-old LA Galaxy defender from from Lompoc, California, started for the Americans in a 6-1 win over El Salvador on Dec. 9, 2020, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and played for the U.S. Under-24 team in Olympic qualifying last March.
Araujo was on the preliminary U.S. roster for last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup but wasn't ready to commit to the American program and was not included on the final roster. FIFA approved his change of affiliation on Oct. 4.
In a match missing European-based regulars and those involved in the Mexican league playoffs, Chile came from behind twice on goals by Iván Morales in the 21st minute and Pablo Parra in the 86th.
Mexico got goals from Santiago Giménez in the ninth minute and Jordan Silva in the 64th.
____
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Mexico midfielder Mauro Alberto Lainez (14) heads the ball during the first half of the team's international friendly soccer match against Chile, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press
Mexico forward Santiago Tomas Gimenez (9) scores a goal against Chile goalkeeper Sebastian Perez during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press
Chile forward Ivan Morales (11) celebrates his goal with Marcelino Nunez (10) and Clemente Montes (28) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Mexico, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press
Mexico goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo Lopez (23) dives for a save during the first half of the team's international friendly soccer match against Chile, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. The ball went wide of the goal. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press
Mexico goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo Lopez, center, watches the ball go into the net on a goal by Chile forward Ivan Morales (11) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The Associated Press