Alex Zendejas Takes Part in USMNT's Puppy Therapy Session

If you thought the World Cup was all pressure, strategy and screaming at your TV like the players can hear you, Team USA just found a much cuter way to handle the stress.

The U.S. Men’s National Team has been getting some help during its World Cup run from a few four-legged visitors! And the latest puppy-filled moments featured El Paso’s very own Alex Zendejas, with USMNT calling him the “Dog Whisperer.”

USMNT Has a New Kind of Training Partner

After opening the World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, the U.S. squad returned to its training base in Irvine, California, where they were greeted by three rescue puppies named Bud, Dew Drop and Bloom.

The visit was organized through Purina and Wags and Walks, a nonprofit rescue organization that helps dogs find permanent homes, but it wasn't just for social media.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino reportedly approved the visit, and it went over so well that more dog visits became part of the conversation as Team USA continued its World Cup run.

The team also spent time with Dubs and Polo during practice at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Stadium, making these four-legged visitors feel like unofficial members of the squad.

There’s Actually Science Behind Puppy Therapy

As cute as the photos are, there are real reasons dogs are showing up in high-pressure sports spaces.

Researchers have found that interacting with dogs can help reduce stress, lower heart rate and ease anxiety. Dogs can also help people relax, laugh and connect with each other, which sounds pretty useful when you’re playing in the biggest soccer tournament in the world.

In other words, puppy therapy is not just adorable content. It might actually be good for the team.

Considering the stakes of the World Cup, a few minutes with a dog might be just as important as a recovery stretch, an ice bath or whatever else elite athletes do while the rest of us are stress-eating during stoppage time.

El Paso’s Alex Zendejas Might Be Team USA’s Dog Whisperer

Of course, the moment that really caught our attention came when USMNT shared photos of Alex Zendejas hanging out with the team’s newest furry friends.

The caption was simple and perfect: “Alex Zendejas. Dog Whisperer.”

For El Paso fans, it’s already exciting enough to see Zendejas representing the Borderland on soccer’s biggest stage. Seeing him become part of one of the cutest off-field stories of the World Cup just makes it even better.

Whether he’s making plays on the field or making instant friends with every dog that walks into training, Zendejas keeps giving El Paso another reason to cheer.

And if puppy cuddles are helping Team USA stay calm, focused and ready for the next match, then by all means, bring in the treats.