Alex Zendejas Featured in '26 Stories to '26' Series with Premier League Focus

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is well underway, and USMNT fans are hungry for stories that bring them closer to the players who will carry the nation's hopes. Enter '26 Stories to '26,' a series that profiles key figures in the American setup. The latest installment features Alex Zendejas, the Club América winger whose rise has been nothing short of captivating. In this edition, Zendejas turns his attention to a recent Premier League fixture: Aston Villa versus Nottingham Forest.

The series and its purpose

'26 Stories to '26' is designed to offer an intimate look at USMNT players as they prepare for the biggest stage in world football. Each episode combines personal reflection with tactical analysis, often using high-profile matches as teaching moments. For Zendejas, the Aston Villa-Nottingham Forest encounter served as a perfect case study. The Mexican-American attacker, capped multiple times by the United States, has been a consistent performer in Liga MX, but his eyes are fixed on the global tournament that will be held on home soil.

Zendejas on the Premier League clash

In the segment, Zendejas breaks down key moments from the game at Villa Park, focusing on the intensity and speed of decision-making required in England's top flight. He points to the work rate of the midfielders and the tactical discipline of both defenses as lessons he tries to incorporate into his own game. As a winger who thrives on one-on-one situations, Zendejas notes how the full-backs in the Premier League are more athletic and positionally aware, a challenge he expects to face when representing the USMNT against top international opposition. The match also highlighted the importance of set pieces, an area where Zendejas feels the US can improve.

What it means for 2026

This series isn't just about reminiscing—it's about building toward the future. Zendejas's analysis shows that he is actively learning from the best leagues in the world, even while plying his trade in Mexico. Coming from a dual-nationality background, his choice to represent the United States adds an extra layer of narrative. With the 2026 World Cup on home turf, every lesson counts. The ability to dissect a Premier League fixture and extract relevant takeaways is exactly the kind of growth that head coach Gregg Berhalter will want from his squad. For fans, '26 Stories to '26' provides a window into the mindset of players like Zendejas, who are determined to make their mark when the tournament kicks off in less than three years.