BOTH EMERSON HYNDMAN and Rubio Rubin enjoyed breakout seasons in 2014, culminating in caps with the full U.S. national team in the fall. But another young American, Club America defender Ventura Alvarado, has experienced just as much—and perhaps more—success.

After earning only occasional minutes with Club America during the regular season, Alvarado broke into the starting lineup during the 2014 Liga MX playoffs and took advantage of the opportunity. He played in both legs of the Apertura semifinal series against Monterrey and again in the finals against Tigres. Club America prevailed, winning its 16th domestic Mexican title and establishing itself as the most dominant club in the country.

“It actually caught me by surprise,” Alvarado told American Soccer Now. “I never thought I was going to play in the semifinals and the finals but I was preparing myself for it. You know how soccer is. You never know what is going to happen. [Head coach] Antonio Mohamed, from the first day to the last day, always said you never know who is going to play. I was prepared and I was training really well every day. He gave me chance and I think I did my job.

"It was incredible. I had a lot of fun.”

What is even more interesting is that Alvarado managed to perform well while playing at right back as opposed to central defense, where he has played most of his youth career. It is a positional switch he has enjoyed and now has him hoping that his future is at the fullback position.

“I used to feel better at center back but I am feeling better at right back now,” Alvarado explained. “I still have to learn a couple of things because it’s kind of new. During the season they kind of switched me around—left, right, center back—in different formations. I have a few things to learn but I feel good out there.”

The experience of winning the championship for Alvarado, 22, was the result of a lot of hard work to help him get to this point. When he was just 16 years old, he left his native Phoenix to head to Mexico to play. Despite his parents being from Mexico, Alvarado did not speak much Spanish and had to adapt to the rigors of the youth level of Mexican soccer. He eventually found his way to Club America and won a Mexican title at the U-20 level there, making occasional first-team appearances before a successful loan to Necaxa in 2013-2014. Alvarado returned to Club America in 2014 with a new two-year contract in hand.

Because of Club America's elite status—you could argue it's the best team in the world outside of Europe—breaking into the starting lineup is quite an accomplishment. Alvarado, however, has loved the internal competition at the club and insists it has made him a better player.

“It’s always been really competitive, with them bringing in all kinds of players with experience from different countries,” Alvarado said. “But I really love being here because of that. I’ve learned a lot from all the players.”

Now back training with Club America for the Clausura preseason, Alvarado is eager to prove that he can build off his playoff success and start for the club on a consistent basis. Following the championship, Mohamed’s contract expired and former Leon boss Gustavo Matosas took his place.

Alvarado is back to playing central defense so far this preseason under Matosas and is hopeful he will be part of his new manager's plans.

“Right now, with the championship and returning to Club America, I have a little bit more experience and now I feel confident,” Alvarado said. “It was the best moment in my career [but] it’s in the past. I have to keep working to have better moments.”

“I am training really well right now,” he added. “I hope I get more minutes. It’s going to be hard [to start] because of the players we have and have brought in but I feel positive with the way things are going. The first day I got there he asked me a bunch of questions because I had played against him before with Necaxa. We had a talk and it’s in a good mood. Practice is nice and fun.

"Everything is going well right now.”

With 2014 ending on such a high note, Alvarado is now focused on 2015. His dreams revolve not just around Club America but also with making his entrance into the international arena as well. In the fall, a report from Mexico stated that Alvarado declined interest from the United States to instead hold out for a Mexican call-up.

Alvarado clarified that account, stating that he did receive a U.S. call-up at the U-17 level but commitments with Club America’s youth team forced him to decline. And if Jurgen Klinsmann called him in today?

“I’d go,” Alvarado said without a moment's hesitation.

Alvarado declined to say whether he has spoken with Klinsmann or U.S. soccer staff, and he also says that it's possible he will play for Mexico if El Tri shows concrete interest before the U.S does.

However it plays out, Alvarado's success in 2014 has amplified his motivation.

“One of the goals I had when I started playing was to be champion of Mexico with Club America,” Alvarado said. “It was the dream."

"My next is the national team. I really want to play for the U.S. I would love if if they called me. I think I’ve picked up some attention after winning the championship, playing and doing a good job. I hope they call me.”