Hoops Home and Abroad: Alex Zendejas thriving in Mexico

Welcome to another week of Big D Soccer’s coverage of your favorite players with ties to FC Dallas, the FCD Academy, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

It was a pretty slow week. Zendejas continues to shine in Mexico, Anibals team finally started their season, and Ramiro makes final preparations for his return.

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Europe

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga): Weston has been back training with the team for a week, but admits it will take a little more time for him to get back on the pitch:

Next Match: Injured

Shaft Brewer Jr. (AP - RB Leipzig U19): It is currently unknown if Shaft is still on trial with LAFC.

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Keaton started Sunday, for Benfica II at Real. Keaton played the full match, but Benfica II found itself down to 10 men in the second half, and lost 5-1.

The senior team suffered a couple of injuries, so it was not surprise that Keaton was part of a group of players from Benfica II, that were asked to train with the senior team:

Next Match: Benfica II vs. Cova Piedade, Sunday, February 25, 10:00am

Emerson Hyndman (DFW - AFC Bournemouth): Emerson is still in Limbo.

Next Match: your guess is as good as mine

Fabian Castillo (FCD - Trabzonspor/Super Lig): Fabian suited up Sunday, against 1st place Istanbul B, who were the visitors. Fabian came on in the 73rd minute with Trabzonspor trailing 1-0. The score held, and Trabzonspor ended up with the loss.

The loss keeps Trabzonspor 7th place in the Super Lig Table.

Next Match: Alanyaspor vs. Trabzonspor, Saturday, February 24, 10:00am

Ramiro Funes Mori (DFW - Everton/Premier League): Ramiro is ready, and primed for his return:

Next Match: Watford vs. Everton, Saturday, February 24, 11:30am

Mexico - Clausura Torneo

Rogelio Funes Mori (DFW - Monterrey/Liga MX): Rogelio started Saturday, and played the full match, in a 3-0 loss at Necaxa.

The loss drops Monterrey to 7th place in the Liga MX Clausura Table.

Rogelio did not suit up Tuesday, as Monterrey defeated Dorados (Ascenso MX) 2-0, in Copa MX action.

The victory places Monterrey a top Group 3.

Next Match: Atlas vs. Monterrey, Friday, February 23, 9:00pm

Copa MX, Correcaminos vs. Monterrey, Tuesday, February 22, 7:00pm

Alejandro Zendejas (FCD/AP - Atletico Zacatepec/Ascenso MX): Alex suited up Friday, at Correcaminos. Alex came on in the 70th minute, with both teams tied at 1-1. Alex, made an instant impression:

Alex would score the winning goal, leading Atletico Zacatepec to a 2-1 victory.

Alex started Tuesday, against visiting Atletico San Luis. Alex played the full match, as Zacatepec lost 2-0.

The win, and the loss, combine to drop Atletico Zacatepec to 9th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Atletico Zacatepec vs. Potros UAEM, Saturday, February 24, 5:00pm

Copa MX, Murcielagos vs. Atletico Zacatepec, Tuesday, February 27, 7:00pm

Omar Gonzalez (DFW - Pachuca/Liga MX): Omar returned to the starting lineup Tuesday, as Pachuca defeated Celaya (Ascenso MX) 1-0, in Copa MX action.

The win moves Los Tuzos 1st place in Group 8.

Next Match: Pachuca vs. Leon, Saturday, February 24, 7:06pm

Copa MX, Atletico San Luis vs. Pachuca, Tuesday, February 27, 9:06pm

Atiba Harris (FCD - Murcielagos FC/Ascenso MX): Atiba did not suit up Saturday, in Murcielagos 2-2 draw against Mineros De Zacatecas.

The draw keeps Murcielagos 15th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Atiba started Tuesday, and played the full match, as Murcielagos lost 1-0 at Necaxa in Copa MX action.

The loss drops Murcielagos to last place in Group 6.

Next Match: Murcielagos vs. Dorados, Friday, February 23, 10:00pm

Copa MX, Murcielagos vs. Atletico Zacatepec, Tuesday, February 27, 7:00pm

Central America & South America

Nicholas Hagen (AP - Municipal/Guatemala), Blas Perez (FCD - Municipal/Guatemala): Blas and Nick both started Saturday, and played the full match, at Coban Imperial. Blas scored a goal in the first half, but it wasn’t enough, as Los Rojos lost 3-1.

This is Municipals second consecutive 3-1 defeat, and drops them to 7th place in the Liga Nacional Clausura Table.

Next Match: Municipal vs. Suchitepequez, Sunday, February 25, 11:00am

Moises Hernandez (FCD/AP - Comunicaciones/Guatemala): Moises did not suit up Sunday, in a 0-0 draw against visiting Siquinala.

The draw keeps Comunicaciones 5th place in the Liga Nacional Clausura Table.

Next Match: Malacateco vs. Comunicaciones, Sunday, February 25, Noon

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): Anibal suited up Sunday, at Deportivo Cuenca. Anibal came on in the 77th minute, with Quito trailing 2-1. The score would remain unchanged, and LDU Quito would lose 2-1.

Next Match: LDU Quito vs. Guayaquil City, Monday, February 26, 6:30pm

Major League Soccer - Currently in preseason

USL & NASL - Currently in preseason