COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As Alejandro Zendejas stood in the postmatch mixed zone, one could barely tell how prominent a role he had played in the United States men's national team's 2-0 victory over Japan .

He was almost serene as he described the night, sharing the field once again with Christian Pulisic -- whom he first crossed paths with as a 14-year-old at the old U.S. under-17 residency camp -- and delivering the critical first goal. He also knew he'd made the kind of impression on U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino that can catapult him into consideration for the U.S. World Cup roster. Not that he was letting it get to his head.

"This is all God's timing," he said. "I'm very thankful for everything that's been playing out for me. I'm going to keep on doing my job, keep on working

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