US winger Alex Zendejas bolstered his growing reputation with another standout performance in the final second leg of Liga MX on Sunday, helping Club America to their historic third straight championship.

Zendejas, an interesting option for the U.S. men’s national team and new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, set up his team’s only goal in a 1-1 draw that sealed a 3-2 aggregate win over Monterrey. The 26-year-old’s clever header fell to his teammate Richard Sanchez, who fired a spectacular shot into the goal from outside the penalty area.

For Pochettino, there is a lot to like about Zendejas. Looking ahead to 2025, his confidence could hardly be higher after scoring a crucial goal in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura season finale in midweek and once again proving to be the main driving force of Club America’s attack on Sunday. Since Mexican football switched to a separate season in 1991, no team had previously won three titles in a row.

Although his international career has been plagued by controversy at almost every turn, Zendejas’ speed and determination – and, above all, his form – are likely to keep him firmly in Pochettino’s mind ahead of a critical year.

Pochettino used Zendejas in both games against Jamaica in November (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Before switching parties one last time, Zendejas played first for the United States and then for Mexico in youth, where paperwork irregularities stemming from his failure to submit a one-time transfer led to the Mexican federation was fined by FIFA and had to forfeit five games.

He was born in Mexico but grew up in Texas and played his career with FC Dallas before moving to Guadalajara to Liga MX giants Chivas in 2016. As recently as October, he hinted that he would be open to playing for Mexico again – a bizarre comment given that he has long been committed to only representing the US at the highest level in the future.

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He was used as a late substitute by Pochettino in the USMNT’s last two games against Jamaica in the Nations League, but did not have enough time to make a significant impact in either game.

Zendejas was also linked with a move to LA Galaxy last year, but as he was one of the most dynamic players in Liga MX last season, his options for a lucrative move or an extended contract with America have increased.

(Top photo: Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)