Collin Mullins on How He Joined the Armenian National Team

15-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy defender Collin Mullins shared his story in an interview with the official website of the Football Federation of Armenia during the U17 national team’s training camp.

Mullins is currently in Cyprus with the team, where Armenia U17 is taking part in the UEFA European Championship qualifying tournament. Their opponents are Northern Ireland, Finland, and Cyprus.

Collin was born in Los Angeles but has Armenian roots on his mother’s side — his mother is half Armenian, and his grandfather was born in Armenia. According to the player, his mother and grandfather speak Armenian, but he doesn’t yet understand it very well.

He began his football journey at the Los Angeles Surf academy before joining the Los Angeles Galaxy system, where he now plays for the U16 team.

Collin’s path to the Armenian national team began through the PAYFA (Pan Armenian Youth Football Association) program — an initiative by the Football Federation of Armenia that scouts talented young players of Armenian descent abroad. After being selected in California among hundreds of young footballers, Mullins was invited to Armenia, where he impressed the coaches and earned a call-up to the youth national team.

“I’m very proud to represent Armenia,” Mullins said.

Collin has represented Armenia since 2024, playing for the U15, U16, and now U17 national teams.