Domestic soccer in Mexico can be unpredictable at any time, especially during the rollercoaster ride of the Liga MX playoffs, but heading into Thursday’s first leg of the Apertura tournament final, one thing is certain: a player from the U.S. men’s national team is going to be crowned champion.

Monterrey’s Club América’s Alejandro Zendejas and Brandon Vazquez are two US forwards with dual nationalities currently making their home in Mexico. While Zendejas is thriving in Mexico City, Vazquez’s initial fame has faded 400 miles north, but even that contrast makes for a narrative full of intrigue ahead of the finale.

For American players, Europe is the most visible landing spot in soccer. The top five national European leagues are elite leagues. For many, the appeal that comes with finding work on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean is unmatched. However, Mexico has the most intense soccer environment in North America. The game is firmly anchored in the daily lives of Mexicans. Over 100 years of football will do that to a country.

Furthermore, Liga MX is not much different from Europe, as stigma and prejudice against American players are part of the culture.

In his new docuseries, Christian Pulisic alluded to the implied cloud of doubt that follows his USMNT colleagues everywhere, saying it “infuriates him.”

Likewise, American players have more to prove than their European counterparts playing in Mexico. They have to overcome the idea that their footballing ability is questionable. That their football IQ is limited.

Zendejas and Vazquez (as well as Guadalajara striker Cade Cowell) have followed in the footsteps of a renowned group of Americans who have played in Liga MX – Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Herculez Gomez, Jozy Altidore, Marcelo Balboa and Cle Kooiman and more.

Mexico has always been a popular league with players from other countries, but as the men’s national team struggles for relevance in its CONCACAF region, limiting international arrivals in Liga MX has become a way to change Mexico’s status today. The aim is to provide more opportunities for young Mexican players at club level.

However, Zendejas and Vazquez are Mexican citizens. And perhaps that can soften the criticism, even though they actually represent Mexico’s biggest rival on the international stage. Nevertheless, both players’ path to the USMNT was bumpy. For Zendejas, it was downright controversial.

He played for the USA at the 2015 U17 World Cup alongside Pulisic and Tyler Adams and later played for Mexico at youth level and in two friendlies for the senior national team. However, because Zendejas had not submitted the required one-time transfer papers required because he had played for the United States in an official competition, Mexico was forced to forfeit five games (three of them at youth level).

Zendejas ultimately reaffirmed his loyalty to the United States, making bitter claims. Zendejas reportedly wanted guarantees that he would play and be included in Mexico’s 2022 World Cup team, with the team’s then head coach Tata Martino describing the situation as “blackmail.”

“Things were said that I didn’t say, like that comment about blackmail,” Zendejas told reporters in Mexico after the World Cup in Qatar. “I know that you can’t place such demands on a coach or an institution. I don’t know why (Martino) came out and said that. But that’s all in the past.”

Zendejas is one of several goal-scoring players for Club América. He has played on both wings and as a central attacking midfielder. He scored the opening goal for the team called Las Aguilas (the Eagles) in the semi-final decider against Cruz Azul on Sunday and was quite good for the Mexican giants in this Apertura. His numbers aren’t outstanding (three goals, three assists), but Zendejas has always been influential.

A victory over Monterrey in this final would make Zendejas the winningest American to have played in Mexico. In 2023, he became the first U.S. import to win two Liga MX titles when América won the Apertura Championship.

América won two consecutive league trophies when they were crowned Clausura champions earlier this year. Zendejas won his first Liga MX title with Chivas in 2017.

The 26-year-old Vazquez quickly became a fan favorite when he arrived in Monterrey last winter from FC Cincinnati of the MLS. He scored goals quickly and often and was unfazed by the responsibility of replacing Rogelio Funes Mori, the team’s all-time leading scorer. Under coach Fernando Ortiz, Vazquez scored six goals in 19 games.

When he scores, Vazquez stands with his hands on his hips, superhero style, which earned him the nickname “Superman” in Mexico.

He scored on his international debut against Serbia in January this year after being left out of Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. squad for the World Cup two years ago. Despite his breakout season for Cincinnati in 2022 (he scored a total of 33 goals in four seasons for the club), Vazquez was not given a chance by Martino with Mexico. Martino previously coached the then 19-year-old Vazquez at Atlanta United in 2017/18. Diego Cocca, who briefly succeeded Martino as Mexico coach at the beginning of 2023, was also not interested.

That opened the door for a big role as the USA’s No. 9 seed in the 2023 Gold Cup this summer. Vazquez scored three goals for the USMNT in a season that ended in the semifinals. At this point he was undecided, ending the years-long dilemma with Mexico.

His membership in the national team is certain, but the future of his club is not so certain.

Vazquez’s playing time has been reduced in Monterrey this season as new coach Martin Demichelis opted for Argentine dual international German Berterame. In 19 league games, Berterame scored 10 goals and Vazquez four. On Saturday, Vazquez scored Monterrey’s fifth goal against Atletico San Luis.

He didn’t party like Superman. Instead, Vazquez covered his ears with both index fingers – drowning out the noise or criticism. Last week it was reported that the San Jose Earthquakes were in preliminary talks to bring Vazquez back to the States in the upcoming winter transfer window.

A return to MLS could suit Vazquez professionally, as he was one of the league’s best strikers before moving to Monterrey. But in Mexico the impression will be that he has failed to make it at a club constantly fighting for titles, that he has fallen down the rankings in a team always full of attacking talent. There will be a transfer story to watch in January.

Zendejas and Vazquez are currently experiencing two completely different situations.

Based on his form alone, the Club América winger is more likely to have a heroic moment in the finals, which begin on Thursday. Still, America can consider itself somewhat lucky to be here.

Both teams progressed after beating two strong semi-final opponents. Club América defeated league leaders Cruz Azul in thrilling fashion on Sunday, with an 88th-minute América penalty and 16 minutes of added time telling the story of a controversial but highly entertaining two-legged series. It will go down in history as a historically great Clásico Joven.

Monterrey lost 2-1 to Atletico San Luis in the first leg but bounced back on Saturday at the impressive Estadio BBVA. With a clear 5-1 win they reached their first final in five years.

An exciting duel is guaranteed – but the positions of the two Americans in the future national team are not.

Both were left off new head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s initial squad list in October, only to be added after Tim Weah and Folarin Balogun were ruled out through injury. This international window included a friendly against Mexico in Guadalajara.

Pochettino is still assessing the current men’s national team pool. Both players have time to make an impact before the 2026 World Cup.

For now, it’s certain that an American will win another League Cup in Mexico. This is no small feat when two of the richest clubs in the country meet.

(Top photo: Hector Vivas / Getty Images)