Mexican-born Winger Zendejas Decides to Play for the United States National Team
After years of uncertainty and deliberation, Mexican-born winger Efrain Zendejas has finally made a decision on which national team to represent moving forward, and it’s none other than the United States.
Background
Zendejas, who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer (MLS), was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to the United States when he was just two years old. He grew up playing soccer in North Texas and eventually joined the FC Dallas Academy when he was just 13 years old.
Despite his early success in the United States youth system, Zendejas was always subject to interest from the Mexican national team, who have a history of poaching American-born players who have Mexican roots. In fact, Zendejas even played for the Mexican U-20 national team during the 2017 World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, as he continued his ascension through the ranks of professional soccer in the United States, Zendejas began to feel a stronger connection to the American national team and the opportunities that playing for that team would afford him.
The Decision
Ultimately, it was a conversation with US national team coach Gregg Berhalter that helped Zendejas solidify his decision to play for the United States.
“The coach just made me feel at home,” Zendejas said in an interview with ESPN. “That’s what I like. That’s the feeling I want to have when I’m playing on the national team, you know?”
Zendejas also cited his desire to play in the World Cup as another major factor in his decision to play for the United States.
Reaction
The news of Zendejas’ decision was met with excitement from both FC Dallas fans and US soccer fans alike. Many see Zendejas as a potential star for the United States in the coming years, and his decision to commit to the team early on in his career bodes well for his future prospects.
Conclusion
In the end, Efrain Zendejas’ decision to play for the United States national team is a big win for American soccer. Not only does it add another talented player to the team’s pool of available players, but it also represents a positive shift in the way that American-born players with dual citizenship see their opportunities with the US national team.
Summary: Mexican-born winger Efrain Zendejas has decided to play for the United States national team after years of potential interest from the Mexican national team. Zendejas currently plays for FC Dallas in MLS and has been a standout in the American soccer scene for years. His decision was cemented after a conversation with US national team coach Gregg Berhalter, and his commitment to the team is seen as a positive shift in understanding for dual-citizenship players. Zendejas’ decision is seen as a win for American soccer and bodes well for the team’s future prospects. #SPORT