Mexico head coach Diego Cocca has said he’s actively looking to recruit Alejandro Zendejas — but the U.S.-eligible winger was not on his first roster after taking over El Tri.
Cocca, who was named Tata Martino’s successor last month, named a 34-player roster for Mexico’s Nations League matches against Suriname on March 23, and against Jamaica three days later.
Zendejas, who was born in Mexico and raised in the United States, played in two friendlies with Mexico’s senior national team after representing the U.S. at the youth level.
After a FIFA investigation, Mexico was forced to forfeit both of those matches because Zendejas never filed the one-time switch he would have needed to be eligible to play for El Tri.
The Club América winger received his first senior call for the USMNT in January, and he impressed in his debut against Serbia. The 25-year-old made it clear, however, that he had yet to decide his international future.
Speaking at a press conference after his roster was revealed on Thursday, Cocca said he is hoping to convince Zendejas to join Mexico but believes the winger still needs time to make his decision.
“I’ve spoken with [Zendejas] personally two times,” Cocca said. “First, I wanted to tell him that our intention is to have him with us. And second, I wanted to make clear that today he is not eligible because he has to sign a document to be with the Mexico national team. It’s his decision and we’ll give him time to make his decision.”
Zendejas not being on Mexico’s roster can be seen as a win for the USMNT, as his presence would have permanently tied him to Mexico. Should Zendejas be called up and play for the USMNT in its Nations League matches in March, he’d be permanently tied to the U.S.
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