By ADAM SERRANO
The chase for Club Tijuana forward Joe Benny Corona just got a bit more interesting.
Corona has been called up by Mexico's Under-22 side for a pair of matches against Chile's Under-22s. Corona is joined on the roster by another California native, Chivas de Guadalajara left back Miguel Angel Ponce.
Corona has two goals in the Apertura for the Xoloitzcuintles (or Xolos) in their first season since being promoted into the Mexican Primera Division. Corona's rising star began during the Xolos drive for promotion, with Corona even scoring the goal that decided Club Tijuana's promotion playoff. In addition to his ability to represent Mexico and the U.S., Corona is also eligible to represent El Salvador, his mother's birth nation.
In a recent ESPN profile of Corona, Corona stated that he had been on former U.S. national team Bob Bradley's preliminary roster for the Aug. 10 friendly against Mexico but didn't end up making the final roster after Bradley's firing. During his conversation with ESPN, Corona admitted that he has been in contact with the current regime under Jurgen Klinsmann, who sent a scout to watch him in a recent match against Puebla.
What do you think of this development? Confident Corona will wind up with the U.S. national team? Think Mexico is seriously interested, or just trying to keep him from the USMNT?
Share your thoughts below.