The 18-year-old Valencia midfielder has had to be patient to make his contribution in competitive play for the U.S., but after being cap-tied vs. Jamaica, his time has come.
With two home games in the upcoming World Cup qualifying window, the expectations are that the U.S. will make progress on the road to Qatar, but it won't be easy.
World Cup qualifying resumes Thursday, with the U.S. picking up after a hectic, attrition-filled week in September setting the tone for the Concacaf Octagonal.