Raúl Mendiola (born May 18, 1994) is a Mexican professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Central Valley Fuego in the USL League One.
Born in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Mendiola joined the LA Galaxy Academy in 2011.[1] While at the academy level Mendiola won back-to-back U-16 Development Academy Player of the Year awards after the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, playing for California-based development academy club Arsenal FC.[1]
On February 20, 2014, it was announced that Mendiola was signed as a homegrown player by the Galaxy.[1] He then made his professional debut with the LA Galaxy II, the reserve side of the LA Galaxy, on March 22, 2014, in the side's first ever USL Pro match against the Orange County Blues. His first appearance with the LA Galaxy first team came on May 17, 2014, in a regular season MLS match against the Houston Dynamo.[2][3]
On May 31, 2018, Mendiola joined United Soccer League side Las Vegas Lights.[4]
Mendiola joined USL Championship side Reno 1868 on December 10, 2018.[5]
On July 23, 2020, Las Vegas Lights Head Coach Frank Yallop announced that Mendiola would reunite with the team for the remainder of the 2020 season.[6]
Mendiola signed with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal in January 2020. He returned to former side Las Vegas Lights on July 23, 2020.[7]
After three years without a professional club, Mendiola returned to the professional ranks signing with USL League One side Central Valley Fuego on February 20, 2024.[8]
LA Galaxy