Pro Prospects: Leaving Los Angeles

by Travis Clark

October 24, 2018

Another rising U.S. youth talent – and MLS Academy product – is on his way to Europe.

Alex Mendez, a former member of the LA Galaxy Academy, has signed with SC Freiburg in the German Bundesliga. The long-rumored move was confirmed by Mendez on his Twitter account Tuesday evening.

Happy to announce that I have signed my first contract with @scfreiburg. I want to give a big thank you to my family, coaches, friends, and teammates that have helped and supported me throughout this process. It’s only the beginning 🙇🏽‍♂️💭 pic.twitter.com/JhG3hVarLh
— Alex Mendez (@aleexm21) October 24, 2018

The central midfielder’s been a part of the Galaxy dating back to at least 2015, making 72 appearances at various age groups over the course of the last three seasons. Mendez anchored the team’s U18/19 team, scoring five goals in the playoffs to lead the team to the national championship match.

Mendez also spent some of the past two USL seasons getting a run with LA Galaxy II, making six appearances this season and six in 2017.

Because he turned 18 outside the summer transfer window, Mendez won’t be able to officially register at Freiburg until January 2019, when the registration window reopens.

In the meantime, he’ll be a critical part of the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team, as they begin qualification for the 2019 World Cup next week.

Young Yanks continue to compete in UEFA Youth League

This week’s resumption of UEFA Champions League matches saw youth sides step back on the field – and with it a handful of young Americans were back on pitches around Europe.

Christopher Richards, an interesting absence from the initial U.S. U20 MNT qualifying roster (he could be part of six changes later in the competition) played 90 minutes and picked up a yellow card in a 4-0 win against AEK Athens. Teammate Justin Butler was on the bench but didn’t get into the mix in Greece.

Two Yanks squared off when Ajax hosted Benfica; although only one of the players saw the field. Sergino Dest was a 68th minute substitute, picking up an assist as the Dutch side won by a 3-0 score. Goalkeeper Carlos Dos Santos will hop on a plane in the next week to compete for the starting role at the U20 Concacaf Championship in November.

A strong 2018 continued for Konrad de la Fuente, who scored over the weekend for Barcelona’s Juvenil A. He was back in the starting lineup in Wednesday’s Youth League game at home against Inter Milan. De la Fuente was a livewire on the right flank in the first half, scoring a goal in the fourth minute as Barcelona won by a 2-1 score.

Gennaro Nigo (Roma) was on the bench as his Italian side won 3-1.

Pynadath returns

Ajax winger Joshua Pynadath (2002) returned for Ajax over the weekend. Injuries had limited the wide attacker at the start of the season, but he was finally back for the Under-17s (highlights below -- Pynadath is No. 17). He’ll be eligible for next year’s U17 World Cup cycle and could be a part of the Nike Friendlies at the end of November/beginning of December.

Related Topics: Youth National Teams