Charleston Battery winger Fidel Barajas is set to compete in the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship with four-time defending champions Mexico in Guatemala.
The competition kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 11, and they will face Curaçao, Guatemala and Panama:
Feb. 11 | Mexico vs. Curaçao | 5 p.m. ET | Watch on Fox Soccer Plus
Feb. 13 | Mexico vs. Guatemala | 8 p.m. ET | Watch on Tubi
Feb. 15 | Mexico vs. Panama | 5 p.m. ET | Watch on Fox Sports 2
We caught up with Fidel to discuss the pre-tournament camp in Mexico and to preview the matches in Guatemala. Read what he had to say below:
Q: How did your camp with the U-17’s go?
Fidel: The camp with Mexico was great. It was full of mixed emotions, knowing that the final roster still wasn’t set and we had to compete every day to earn a spot on the roster in order to go to the Concacaf U-17 Championship. It was also another opportunity to build more chemistry with the team. Overall, it was an amazing camp.
What’s been your favorite part of the whole experience?
My favorite part of this whole experience was getting the call-up to the final roster to represent Mexico in Guatemala and have a chance to qualify for the U-17 World Cup. It was a moment that I’ll never forget and will always carry with me throughout my career.
What’s your mindset heading into the U-17 Championship?
My mindset heading into the U-17 Championship is a winning mindset. Qualifying for the U-17 World Cup is the main objective, of course, but winning the whole thing is not just my priority, but the whole team’s priority.
Barajas scored in Mexico’s prep match against LigaMX’s Club Pachuca U-20 squad.
What do you think is the team’s biggest challenge in the competition?
I think the team’s biggest challenge going into the tournament will be to overcome the adversity we’ll face along the way. The teams we’re playing are tough. Whether the adversity comes from the fans in the stadium or from the fierce competition of our opponents, we’ll have to find a way to persevere.
How important is it for you to represent Mexico on a big stage like this?
To represent Mexico on such a big stage like this means a lot to me. This is because not only am I representing all of Mexico, but I’m representing the country and culture where my family is from.
Where do you think you’ve improved the most since we saw you last in October?
My biggest improvement has been in my confidence. Just knowing I’ve been able to play games with so many experienced players that have been in the league for a while, and then being able to keep up with their speed of play. That new confidence is something I bring with me here to the national team and I feel more free knowing that I’m playing with players that are my age.
The top three teams of each group advance to the knockout stage (round of 16), which then builds to the final on February 26 in Guatemala City. The four nations that advance to the semi-finals qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.
Best of luck in Guatemala, Fidel!
Photos courtesy of the Mexican Football Federation.
