Battery winger Fidel Barajas helped lead Mexico to win the Concacaf U-17 Championship in a 3-1 victory over the United States in the final on Sunday, capping off an impressive tournament for Fidel.
Barajas was a tour de force throughout the competition, starting all seven of Mexicoโs matches while tallying three goals and five assists. His five helpers ranked second-most overall in the tournament. Fidelโs goals came against Curacao, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
The Mexico No. 11 played a solid 74 minutes in the final and had a hand in setting up two of their goals to lift the trophy in Guatemala City. His cross-field pass in the 8th minute drew a foul inside the box that then led to a converted penalty kick to put El Tri ahead early. In the second half, Fidel played a short corner kick in the 51st minute that resulted in a cross and headed goal to add to Mexicoโs lead.
The title is Mexicoโs fifth consecutive in the Concacaf U-17 Championship.
In addition to winning the title, Barajas and Mexico earned qualification for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru. Theyโll look to add another piece of silverware to their 2023 cabinet when the U-17 World Cup, which El Tri have won twice, kicks off in November.
Barajas is now slated to rejoin the Battery ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season, which starts on Saturday, March 11, at Patriots Point against Phoenix Rising FC.
