USA vs Mexico, Next Phase in Rivalry Might Be Off The Field

The US vs Mexico rivalry is one of the most passionate rivalries in soccer and has many great stories on the field, however, their next battle might be off the field. Both squads are looking to build to 2026 when they along with Canada, will co-host the World Cup. The USA has recently had a surge of young players signing with big European clubs and Mexico has lagged behind their counterparts. Now more than ever young talent is a must for both squads, below is a list of players who have the option of playing for both the US and Mexico.

Kobe Hernandez-Foster

Kobe, named after the eternal Kobe Bryant, is an 18-year-old defender who currently plays for Wolfsburg’s U-19 team. He has represented the USA 22 times on their U-17 team. New FIFA regulations would allow him to play for Mexico if he so chooses.

Nicolas Carrera

Nico is an 18-year-old defender who currently plays for Holstein Kiel’s U-19 squad in Germany. Nico was born in Pachuca, Hidalgo, and played a game for Mexico’s U-17 squad before making the switch to the USA’s U-17 squad late last year.

Sebastian Soto

Soto is a 20 yrs old forward that is currently signed to The Championship’s Norwich City but is on loan at Dutch Second Tier’s SC Telstar. Soto has played for the USA’s U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-23 teams. Soto can continue to play with the USA or decide to play for Mexico or Chile.

Richard Ledezma

Ledezma is a 20-year-old Attacking Midfielder that currently plays for PSV’s U-21 club in the Dutch Second Tier. A product of the Real Salt Lake Academy, Ledezma has taken part in the USA’s U-19, U-20, and U-23 squads, but with the right incentive can still play his senior ball with Mexico.

Alex Mendez

Mendez is another California born player that can play for Mexico or the USA. The current Ajax U-21 player has been thru the USA’s youth system from U-15 to U-23, his ties to Chivas, coming thru the Chivas USA Academy, may persuade him to switch to El Tri.

Ulysses Llanez

Yet another California native, Llanez is a product of the LA Galaxy Academy. Llanez is currently signed with Wolfsburg, however, he is currently on loan at Eredivisie’s SC Heerenveen. Llanez played for Mexico’s U-16 squad before switching to the USA and participating in squads from U-16 to U23. A solid project may be enough to lure Llanez back to La Seleccion.

Johan Gomez

The 19-year-old Texan is currently playing for FC Porto B. He has been called up to the USA’s U-16 and U-20, making two appearances for the latter. The center forward can still choose to play for his current squad or Mexico.

Efrain Alvarez

Alvarez is currently playing for the MLS’ LA Galaxy, alongside fellow mextranjeros Jonathan Dos Santos and Chicharito. The 18-year-old has played for El Tri’s U-17 squad but played three games for the USA’s U-15 squad. Mexico will hope the influence of Jona and Chicharito keep Alvarez loyal to Mexico.

Julian Vazquez

Vazquez was born in Brigham City, Utah and currently plays for Real Salt Lake in the MLS. He was a member of the stars and stripes U-18 team before switching to El Tri. Mexico will hope the 19-year-olds lack of game time in their U-20 squad won’t lead him back to the USA.

Jonathan Perez

Perez is another product of the LA Galaxy Academy and, after a solid season in the USL, is now part of their First team. Perez played three games with the USA’s U-16 team before deciding to play for Mexico’s U-16 then U-18 squads.

Antonio Leone

Leone is a product of LAFC’s Academy and has already swapped national teams twice. His journey started in the US’s U-15 squad. He then played for Mexico’s U-15 and U-17 squads but has recently changed course and played for USA’s U-17 squad. El Tri will hope that his recent promotion to LAFC’s first squad and playing with Carlos Vela will help convert Leone again.

The lack of youth players currently playing in Liga MX and the disappearance of the Liga de Ascenso, combined with the crop of young players currently at the disposal of Gregg Berhalter, may set up dark times for El Tri against their most hated rivals, if these players are lost.