The Charleston Battery’s Fidel Barajas is coming back to South Carolina a champion.

The 16-year-old winger completed a strong individual tournament at the Concacaf Men’s U-17 Championship on Sunday night as he helped Mexico take a 3-1 victory against the United States at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.

The title was Mexico’s fifth consecutive at the event, with Barajas starting all seven games of the tournament for the side. Recording five assists, Barajas ranked second among all players overall, while also finding the net three times for the champions.

Barajas didn’t officially contribute on the scoresheet in Sunday’s final, but he did play a role in two of Mexico’s goals. In the eighth minute his cross-field pass from the left reached Brandon Lomeli after a miscued defensive header, and Lomelli was brought down by United States and San Diego Loyal SC goalkeeper Duran Ferree for a penalty kick. Stephano Carillo converted from the spot to put El Tri ahead early.

The Battery winger then played a short corner kick in the 51st minute that resulted in a cross by Yerar Azcárate and a flicked header by Mexico teammate Luis Navarette that picked out the right corner of the net.

The United States pulled a goal back with 21 minutes to go when Pedro Soma’s header found the net, but Mexico wrapped up the victory in second-half stoppage time after being awarded a second penalty kick that was put away by Isaac Martinez.

Barajas will now rejoin his Battery teammates as the side continues its preparations for the upcoming 2023 USL Championship season, which sees Charleston open the campaign on Saturday, March 11 against Phoenix Rising FC at Patriots Point.