ASN: Youth Motion in Dallas Advantages Alex Zendejas, 17

Zendejas, the youngest participant in Main League Soccer, is hoping to parlay his first-team minutes with FC Dallas right into a spot on america under-17 World Cup squad. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 27, 2015
11:15 AM

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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER franchises have every adopted their very own strategy to constructing rosters. Some, like New York Metropolis FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy, heavy up on big-name overseas gamers. Others, together with the New York Purple Bulls, have constructed their groups on lesser-known however high quality veterans.

FC Dallas, nevertheless, is squarely centered on growing younger gamers. The newest beneficiary of head coach Oscar Pareja’s youth motion is Alex Zendejas, 17, the youngest participant in MLS. The El Paso, Texas, native signed a homegrown contract on October 12, 2014 and is starting to see significant minutes with the Western Convention squad.

After lacking many of the 2015 preseason as a consequence of his involvement in U-17 World Cup qualifying and being in U.S. Soccer’s residency program, Zendejas has labored his means into the primary staff. He made his skilled debut on Could 1, approaching as a late substitute in Dallas’ 4-1 win over Houston. Six weeks later Zendejas made his first begin in a 3-0 loss in opposition to Seattle.

“That’s what our ownership aims for, and we’re happy to send the message that this is for real—that we want to develop our players,” Pareja mentioned after the sport. “We take the risk. I’m 100% convinced to take the risks. These guys, I know they don’t let us down, and what I saw today on the field was emotional.”

Zendejas acknowledges that his sport has improved shortly as a result of elevated duty. In contrast to some high gamers , he isn’t some of the bodily developed gamers. Because of this, he has needed to depend on his technical potential to succeed. 

“I’m not the biggest kid,” the five-foot-seven, 145-pound midfielder mentioned. “I’ve had to adjust to the speed of play, the height, and the strength of everyone else. When I have the ball, I have to be smart with it. Little by little I am feeling more and more comfortable. My teammates are really helping out to accomplish that. I really appreciate them.  I would say that I’ve improved a lot.”

Born in 1998, Zendejas has by no means recognized a world with out MLS. He grew up with the league and first started to play for FC Dallas youth groups when he was 13. Quickly after he joined U.S. Soccer’s residency program after which signed for Dallas towards the top of his residency.

“[The FC Dallas Academy] really helped me improve in all of the little things,” he said. “The great coaching staff I’ve had made it possible. When I was younger, I dreamed and I always wanted to be a professional player. FC Dallas gave me that opportunity and I really want to thank them for that. I want to give it my all to show them that I appreciate it. I want to be in this league.”

Whereas MLS groups are nonetheless searching for to enhance in youth improvement, Zendejas and different gamers of his age are the newest measuring stick by way of progress. Happily for Zendejas, he has been with a membership that could be very vocal and outspoken about the necessity to give younger gamers minutes and present what they’ll do.

Alongside the way in which it has performed not solely Zendejas, but in addition U.S. U-20 midfielder Kellyn Acosta, U.S. U-23 defender Walker Zimmerman, Mexican youth goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, and teenager ahead Coy Craft. Final season Pareja named Matt Hedges as captain—the youngest man sporting the armband in MLS and the staff additionally boasted the 2014 rookie of the yr in Tesho Akindele.

“I will say this over and over,” Pareja mentioned. “I believe in the talent in America. I believe we have tremendous players in this country—they just need an opportunity. For me to see them go and perform and be part of such a great event is a pride for us. America has great players and we have to believe in that.”

Regardless of a current three-game dropping streak, Dallas continues to be in sturdy place within the Western Convention playoff race, sitting in fifth place however having performed fewer video games than most groups forward of it. To have the ability to compete within the superior Western Convention, FC Dallas should compete with veteran groups like Vancouver, Los Angeles, Kansas Metropolis, and Seattle.

However the playoff battle and FC Dallas is just a part of the story for Zendejas. Along with his potential involvement within the MLS playoffs, Zendejas will probably be a part of the U.S. U-17 staff that may face Nigeria, Croatia, and the host nation, Chile, when the event begins on October 17.

One other probably member of that squad, West Bromwich Albion central defender Danny Barbir, has seen regular enchancment from Zendejas.

“I think he’s one of the most important guys actually,” Barbir mentioned. “He gives us all that intensity and all that energy in the game. It’s very important to have someone like that on the team and I’ve never met anyone like that ever. He’s grown dramatically. It’s great to see that.

“He used to be so quiet when I first met him on the pitch. Now he’s like the leader. He’s one of the main guys.”

Emboldened by his time in Main League Soccer, Zendejas is raring to step into the U-17 World Cup highlight. 

“I feel confident with this team and we’ve been together a really long time,” Zendejas mentioned. “We know each other very well and I believe we can compete with all the other teams in the world.”