FC Dallas academy graduate, ex-US youth int'l makes senior Mexico debut

FC Dallas academy product Alejandro Zendejas made his debut for Mexico's national team Wednesday, entering as a 67th-minute substitute in El Tri's 3-2 friendly defeat to Ecuador at Charlotte FC's Bank of America Stadium.

Zendejas, 23, becomes the second FC Dallas alum to feature for Mexico at the senior level, joining Monterrey striker Rogelio Funes Mori.

Zendejas currently plays for Liga MX side Necaxa, which he joined in 2020 after starting his career in Mexico's top-flight with Chivas Guadalajara.

Before that, Zendejas was part of FC Dallas' much-heralded youth academy, originally signing as a homegrown player in 2014 and making his first-team debut in 2015. Overall, Zendejas made eight appearances for FC Dallas before signing with Chivas, where he agreed to represent Mexico for all potential future international call-ups after representing the United States U-15 and U-17 teams.

Zendejas has been productive during his time in Liga MX, with 10 goals to his name in league play. Now that the midfielder has his first cap, he'll look to show Mexico head coach Tata Martino that he should stay in the mix for an always-loaded El Tri side.