El Paso youth soccer leader talks about ties to Pepe, Zendejas

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Team USA soccer group is back on the pitch Friday afternoon after a thrilling 4-1 victory over Paraguay in last week's World Cup match.

El Pasoans will gather to witness what the team has in store for the match against Australia.

During the match, ABC-7 spoke with FC Dallas El Paso Director Mike Lopez.

He helped organize a youth soccer camp in East El Paso once attended by Ricardo Pepi and Alex Zendejas, who are both playing for Team USA in the World Cup!

"I was super proud of Pepe. He's always been a hard worker since he was a little kid," Lopez told ABC-7. "So he deserves every chance he's gotten, every opportunity he deserved it. He's a hard worker."

For Lopez, the purpose of his initiative isn't solely driven on every young player trying to become the next Pepe and Zendejas.

"Try to teach the kids what it is about soccer," he said. "Like I tell everybody -- you have to practice every day. Every skill we do at the campus for them to train, practice at home, and hopefully they become a national team player like Ricardo and Alejandro Zendejas."

Lopez said he plans on seeing both Pepe and Zendejas in person in Los Angeles. That's where they'll have their final World Cup group match on Thursday against Turkey.