Bundesliga team scouting Cincinnati FC striker

Vazquez has worked hard for this opportunity. He has interacted with top U.S. Men's National Team players since he was a child in Chula Vista, Calif., and trained with national team regulars such as Luca de la Torre.

But his call-up never came, and Vazquez toiled with the U.S. youth teams while his peers debuted for the senior team. He focused on being the best striker he could be for Atlanta, Nashville and Cincinnati in MLS, hoping that the USMNT would see his value.

"Last year I did everything possible in my control to give myself the best opportunity to get into the World Cup roster," he said via US Scocer.. "Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way. But you shake it off. You start again."

And did he ever. Vazquez finally earned his call-up to the national team in January and scored in his debut. The center forward role has long been a question for the USMNT, and Vazquez -- a dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S. -- could become the answer.

In the meantime, Vazquez is focused on helping Cincinnati make the MLS playoffs for the second year running.

"If I step onto the field and do my job there," he told U.S. Soccer, "the rest will come."