TIJUANA, Mexico – Alejandro Guido signed with Club Tijuana in March 2012. He made his professional debut in August.

Since then, the former U.S. U17 Men’s National Team standout has been putting in the work with Club Tijuana’s U20 side, where he now wears the captain’s armband.

His ascension with the Mexican club has not been entirely appreciated by U.S. Soccer, as Guido has been left out in the dark in the final run-up to this summer’s U20 World Cup.

“Very disappointed,” Guido said when asked about being left off the squad. “Because out of my performances with [Xolos] U20s, I should have been called in. It all depends on the coach, you know.”

The 19-year-old midfielder said that USSF had not been in touch with him since he last appeared in camp with the U20 MNT in January in a camp in Puebla, Mexico. Guido played 45 minutes in a 2-2 friendly draw against Panama during that camp. He did not appear in the second scrimmage from the camp.

“I have heard from Mexico [national team],” he said. “There was a coach who was at Xolos training last month.”

The youth national team’s lack of communication is alarming to the extent it is at the exact opposite parallel of how Jurgen Klinsmann is handling the first team.

Joe Corona told reporters on Thursday that his line of communication is always open with the coach, and they talk regularly before big games including the one against C.A. Mineiro where Klinsmann called to wish him luck.

While the national team overlooked Guido for the U20 World Cup, he has kept his eye on the proceedings north of the border and has offered advice to players thinking about making the jump to join the club.

Guido said that recent Club Tijuana signing Paul Arriola asked him for advice when he was thinking about signing with the club.

“I told him I loved it here. I told him about my experience – how it is like living, my daily routine, my plan according to the institution.”

The teenager believes that Arriola is just the tip of the iceberg as the brand of Club Tijuana continues to grow exponentially.

“I think a lot of Californians are coming over and asking for tryouts, A lot of scouts from Xolos are going out there – to parts all over California – to recruit players.”

Guido still crosses the border daily, and proudly represents his Mexican-American heritage.

“This is my culture. I am Mexican-American. I feel like I am representing all the under-20s [by wearing the captain’s armband]. Hopefully, one day I will be representing the first team.”

With current head coach Antonio Mohamed leaving the club soon, the U.S. youngster is not sure who will be the next to take charge of Mexico’s Cinderella team, but he hopes it leads to more opportunities with the first team.

“I think so,” he said in reply to getting more chances with a crowded schedule next year due to CONCACAF Champions League. “It all depends on the coach.”

As with the U.S. U20s and Club Tijuana, it falls on the coach, but Guido keeps striving to make his dream of captaining the Xolos first team a reality.