
<p>Alejandro Zendejas has officially chosen to represent the USMNT. The 25-year-old <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-calls-up-three-dual-national-players-for-training-camp-20230118-WST-415999.html">dual national</a> previously also featured for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/mexico-national-team-tv-schedule/">Mexico</a> and two different age levels. He made his <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> debut in a January friendly against Serbia, but still had the option to choose his official affiliation.</p>



<h2>Zendejas excited for next chapter with USMNT</h2>



<p>“I am very proud of being Mexican-American. Values from both cultures have made me the person I am today,” said Zendejas in a statement via Instagram on Tuesday. “I’ve had the privilege of experiencing life in two countries.”</p>



<p>“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities the United States and Mexico have provided to me and my family,” the forward continued. “Making a decision on your international career is very difficult and I believe in following your heart. Mine tells me that my future lies representing the USA.”</p>



<p>“I’m excited for this next chapter and earning my place with the USMNT. Thank you to everyone for the incredible support.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OFFICIAL: Alex Zendejas has committed to the USMNT 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/C4KTGoFTqi">pic.twitter.com/C4KTGoFTqi</a></p>— U.S. Men&apos;s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1635652272167215106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Decision ends tug of war between rivals</h5>



<p>The news essentially ends a duel between the United States and Mexico national teams. Zendejas previously played for the US U-15s and U-17s, but then switched to Mexico at the U-23 level. The forward also featured twice for the Mexico senior team in 2021 and 2022. However, FIFA did not officially recognize these appearances because the player didn’t fill out the correct paperwork to switch nations. </p>



<p>Mexico was forced to eventually forfeit these matches that Zendejas featured and was also fined. The forward even claimed that he would reject USMNT offers after he switched to Chivas from FC Dallas in 2016. Nevertheless, Zendejas will now <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrP_X2s92uA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only play</a> for the USMNT.</p>



<p>The player was born in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico but raised in nearby El Paso, Texas. He was previously a youth product of the FC Dallas Academy. After making his team debut in 2015 and playing 10 senior matches with the MLS club, Zendejas made the switch to Chivas. He now plays for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/liga-mx-tv-schedule/">Liga MX</a> side Club America.</p>



<p>After confirming his decision, Zendejas is eligible to feature for the Yanks in their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/concacaf-nations-league-schedule/">CONCACAF Nations League</a> games later this month. The USMNT first travel to play Grenada on March 24 and then host El Salvador three days later. There is also a chance Zendejas could play against Mexico in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-and-mexico-to-play-in-continental-clasico-in-april-20230314-WST-423324.html">Continental Clasico</a> in April.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


Alejandro Zendejas has chosen to represent the USMNT, not Mexico. The dual national had the option to pick between the two rival teams.

Zendejas picks USMNT over Mexico


<p>In April, the USMNT and Mexico will kick off the Continental Clasico, an annual game where the United States plays one of the top countries from North, Central or South America. This is not a miniature tournament akin to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usa-women-win-shebelieves-cup-for-4th-consecutive-time-20230223-WST-421031.html">SheBelieves Cup</a> on the women’s side. Rather, it is just one game each year hosted in the United States.</p>



<p>The inaugural game of this new tradition features the USMNT’s biggest rival. Mexico and the United States played one another three times on American soil in 2021. The United States won each of those. Importantly, each of those three was competitive, and two were for a trophy. The USMNT won both the <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gold Cup</a> and CONCACAF <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wig95n7_lks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nations League</a> finals in extra time. Then, the United States added the latest edition of the <em>dos-a-cero</em> story in <a href="https://youtu.be/Hf-Z5SgPX8I" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup Qualifying</a>.</p>



<p>This game may not have the importance of those games, but it is a chance for another game in this storied rivalry. Plus, down the road, it could open the door for games against top opposition.</p>



<p>This game, scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, is happening at StateFarm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, in the Phoenix area. Phoenix is not one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2026-world-cup-cities-reveal-live-thread-20220616-CMS-390036.html">host cities for the 2026 World Cup</a>. </p>



<h2>USMNT and Mexico meet again in Continental Clasico</h2>



<p>While future editions of the Continental Clasico will feature other teams, the 2023 and first game will be between the USMNT and Mexico. While the contest will not involve European talents, as there is no international break during this week in April, there are a number of people to keep an eye on.</p>



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<p>One of those could be Alex Zendejas. The Mexico native declared his allegiance to the USMNT over Mexico on Tuesday. Zendejas plays for América in Liga MX, but could feature in the game if the club releases him. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-calls-up-three-dual-national-players-for-training-camp-20230118-WST-415999.html">He played in a pair of USMNT</a> friendlies against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usa-vs-colombia-preview-looking-to-bounce-back-20230127-WST-417235.html">Colombia</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usa-serbia-preview-2026-world-cup-cycle-begins-20230124-WST-416656.html">Serbia</a>. </p>



<p>Coverage of the USMNT game against Mexico in this Continental Clasico is on TBS and HBO Max, the latest installment of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer-announce-new-tv-deal-turner-sports-20220301-CMS-373327.html">US Soccer deal with Warner Bros. Discovery</a>. For Spanish audiences, coverage is on Telemundo, Universo and <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a>. Coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET, but kickoff is not until 10:22 p.m. ET.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Launching a new annual competition, the USMNT hosts Mexico in the Continental Clasico in mid-April in Glendale, AZ.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Alex Zendejas"

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Zendejas picks USMNT over Mexico

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USMNT and Mexico to play in Continental Clasico in April