CARSON, Calif. - For all the experience Ramon Ramirez and Claudio Suarez brought to Chivas USA, all the glitz Francisco "Paco" Palencia and Juan Pablo "Loquito" Garcia offered, one fellow countryman has stood out from the crowd.
In fact, if you ask Suarez, Francisco Mendoza has shined the brightest of any Mexican player in Major League Soccer.
"He's one of the few Mexican players who have really succeeded," Suarez said. "If you think about all the Mexican players who have come here, have not met their expectations and have had to return to Mexico - all First Division players - he's really adapted much better to this league."
Mendoza, 21, enters the season as a fixture in Chivas USA's lineup. In the 2005 campaign, an injury to Francisco Gomez forced Mendoza into action barely a half hour into the club's first-ever match. Mendoza went on to play a total of 24 games and started 20 of them. Last year, he blossomed into a first-choice left midfielder and started all 31 games he played in while scoring three goals.
This season, the man known as "Panchito" is firmly entrenched in the club's midfield. His 5-foot-5 frame helps him dart around defenders while his touch on the ball allows him to pick teammates from the left flank.
Through it all, though, Mendoza remains as humble as he was when he first arrived from Mexico.
"I just try to keep my feet on the ground. I'm just at the beginning of my career but even when I'm at the end of it, I'll just have to continue being humble because humility is what will bring you success," Mendoza said.
Three years into his stay in California, Mendoza said he has adjusted well to living in the United States. He lives with some uncles in South Gate while focusing on his budding career. He said he approaches games and training sessions ready to put in some hard work because that's the only way he knows how to go about it.
"This career is short so I always try to take that attitude with me in everything I do and I think that's what is carrying me. Day by day, I try to just work hard and give 100 percent of myself and just try and contribute what I can to this team," Mendoza said.
Whatever he's doing, Suarez said it's paying off.
"He knows the physical play of this league and despite his stature - he doesn't look very imposing - nevertheless he's figured out how to take a hit," Suarez said.
Mendoza is not a one-dimensional player. He is comfortable in the middle of the field and was called into a central attacking midfield role various times a year ago as Jonathan Bornstein moved from left back to left midfield at times.
As a youth, Mendoza spent time in the Netherlands with Ajax but a deal between the Dutch giants and Chivas de Guadalajara never came through. His career path then took him to the United States and he's blossomed into one of the league's better young players.
But how capable of a player is he?
"Honestly, he could start for any team in Mexico," Suarez said. "Since there is no attention given to MLS down there, I don't think they even know about him."
Suarez said Mendoza could potentially move to Europe and do well, given the youngster's successful time in the Netherlands. Mendoza, though, still has dreams of playing in his homeland, dreams that nearly came to pass in 2005 when Jaguares and Veracruz inquired about Mendoza.
If he did make the move to Mexico, though, Mendoza said it would have to be at the right situation.
"If I go there, it would be to a team that had a starting spot open for me. That's why I want to perform my best here so I won't leave anything to chance," he said. "But if nothing came of it, I would be happy to stay here. I am very comfortable here and the club supports me well. I wouldn't want to take such great of a risk."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
