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Soccer

SOCCER

United States considering calling up Alejandro Zendejas

The manager of the USMNT, Gregg Berhalter, is monitoring the situation of the Club América winger and he could receive a call-up for the upcoming friendlies.

Rodrigo Serrano
Rodrigo SerranoRodASerrano
Alejandro Zendejas celebrates his goal 2-1 with Alvaro Fidalgo of America during the game America vs Tigres UANL, corresponding Round 12 the Torneo Apertura 2022 of the Liga BBVA MX at Azteca Stadium, on September 03, 2022. <br><br> Alejandro Zendejas celebra su gol 2-1 con Alvaro Fidalgo de America durante el partido America vs Tigres UANL, correspondiente a la Jornada 12 del Torneo Apertura 2022 de la Liga BBVA MX en el Estadio Azteca, el 03 de Septiembre de 2022.
Jose Luis Melgarejo

Alejandro Zendejas is eligible to play with the Mexico and United States national teams and has yet to make a decision regarding his future at international level. The 24-year-old was born in Ciudad Juárez in Mexico before moving to El Paso, Texas at a very young age.

Zendejas’ international career

The Mexican-American player made his debut with the Major League Soccer side FC Dallas and in 2015 he was called up to the United States youth national team and competed in the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, playing alongside Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. The following year, Zendejas had to reject future call-ups from the United States because he signed with Chivas Guadalajara.

The Liga MX side has a tradition of only signing Mexican-born players and that is where the controversy started for Zendejas regarding his international future. As part of the deal, he had to accept future call-ups from the Mexico national team and eventually made his debut in 2017 with the Under-21 squad in preparation for the 2020 Olympics campaign.

The controversy started this year regarding his international career because Zendejas is still registered with the United States Soccer Federation. The Club América winger made his debut with the Mexico national team in October 2021 in a friendly against Ecuador, coming on as a substitute in the second half in place of Uriel Antuna.

FIFA immediately started an investigation because Zendejas’ allegiance was still under the legal jurisdiction of the US Soccer Federation. The Mexican Soccer Federation made it clear that Zendejas needs to commit to El Tri in order to receive another call-up and possibly be included in the roster that will travel to Qatar in November.

But the player has yet to make a decision and the United States is monitoring the situation. According to ESPN, the USMNT continues to follow the progress of the Mexican-American and he could receive a call-up for the friendly games during the September FIFA international break, the last one before the start of the World Cup, and earn a spot in the final roster for the tournament.