Three Nations, One Rising Prospect: Román Avakian Gómez Earns U.S. U-17 Call-Up

Román Avakian Gómez is adding another chapter to an already unusual international journey.

The San Diego-born defender has been called up to the United States U-17 national team for the September international window, joining a group of players from the 2010 birth year that will face Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in Spain. Avakian Gómez is listed among the team’s left backs after establishing himself in the Mainz 05 academy. 

What makes the invitation particularly interesting is that this is not Avakian Gómez’s first experience with an international youth national team. The 16-year-old has previously represented both Armenia and Mexico, giving him one of the more unusual international résumés in the U.S. youth setup.

Born in San Diego on July 6, 2010, Avakian Gómez is the son of an Armenian father and a Mexican mother. His American birth gives him eligibility for the United States, while his family background connects him to Armenia and Mexico. 

Avakian Gómez’s first international experience came with Armenia.

Through PAYFA USA, a program connected to the Football Federation of Armenia that identifies players of Armenian descent in North America, he entered the Armenian youth setup. He represented Armenia at U-14 level during a UEFA Development Tournament in 2024 before playing for the U-15 side in 2025. During that tournament in Yerevan, he scored against Uzbekistan and also converted a penalty in a shootout against Georgia. 

His international path then took another turn.

In March 2026, Avakian Gómez joined Mexico’s U-16 team and made his debut at the Montaigu Tournament in France. That appearance marked another significant moment in his development, as he became part of a Mexican youth setup despite having already represented Armenia. 

Now, the United States has entered the picture at U-17 level.

The call-up gives Avakian Gómez the chance to represent the country of his birth for the first time in this new cycle, while also putting him in an environment where the coaching staff can evaluate him against some of Europe’s strongest youth national teams.

His club development has taken place primarily in Germany.

Avakian Gómez joined Mainz 05 after previously playing for TSV Schott Mainz, and he has progressed through the club’s academy since arriving. He was particularly influential with Mainz U-16, helping the team win the B-Junioren Regionalliga Südwest title in 2025/2026.

His profile has also evolved during that time.

Earlier in his development, Avakian Gómez was primarily viewed as a midfielder or attacking player. He could operate centrally, on the wing or in a more advanced role, with his left foot, passing range and ability to progress the ball standing out.

At Mainz, however, he has increasingly been used as a left back, a position in which he is now being evaluated by the United States U-17 staff as well. 

Few players in the U.S. youth national-team pool can say they have already worn the shirts of two other countries before receiving their first American call-up.

For Avakian Gómez, that history is a direct reflection of his family background and development. 

At youth level, moving between national teams is possible without permanently determining a player’s senior international future. That makes the next stage particularly interesting, especially as Avakian Gómez continues to develop at one of Germany’s established academies.

For the United States, the call-up represents an opportunity to evaluate a left-footed defender with experience in multiple positions and a background that already includes international football in two different systems.

For Avakian Gómez, meanwhile, it is another chance to add to a remarkable journey that has already taken him from San Diego to Germany — and from Armenia to Mexico before now arriving with the United States.

The next few months could provide an even clearer picture of where his international path ultimately leads.