Zendejas remains patient despite lack of playing time
As his US teammates finished off group-clinching wins over Paraguay and Australia, all Alex Zendejas could do to help was watch. The 28-year-old dual-national, who chose to represent the United States over Mexico, has not yet earned a minute at this World Cup. Despite being a surprise pick on Mauricio Pochettino's squad, Zendejas remains confident his moment will come.
Zendejas is among the most talented players in Liga MX, with 24 goals and 21 assists in 5,462 league minutes since the start of the 2023-24 season. He arrived at the tournament in good form, but has been an unused substitute in the first two matches. Support from fans, particularly those from his club Club América, has given him a boost.
"I guess you can see how diehard fans are in Mexico," Zendejas said before training on Monday. "I just appreciate them so much. I've been seeing their messages, all that they've been doing, and I just really appreciate it. It gives me that confidence to be ready when I don't get to play."
Surprise selection and team integration
Despite his steady form at club level, Zendejas was one of the more surprising picks on Pochettino's squad. He wasn't selected for the USMNT's friendly rosters in November and March, seemingly projecting outsider status for this summer's tournament squad. Yet, he appears as much a part of the locker room as any player, frequently arm-in-arm with starters after the final whistle and a steady presence in the team's social media posts.
Following Monday's warm-up rondos, Zendejas and Christian Pulisic were working on their ball control and lobbing short passes to each other in a "floor-is-lava" style mini-game. As Pulisic fought to be available against Australia, Zendejas tried to help keep his teammate's mind off the stakes.
"We're talking about other stuff, you know, like [trying] to get his mind off of it," Zendejas said. "Me and him get along, and we have other guys [who support him] too. That helps him out a lot, just having someone that he can talk to. So just be there for him."
Dead-rubber match offers opportunity
Players like Pulisic may be rested for Thursday's match against Turkey, given the state of Group D. Once projected as the most pivotal fixture of the group stage, the game is now firmly a dead-rubber affair. The US have won the group with a game to go by virtue of head-to-head results being the chief tiebreaker, a new tweak for this World Cup. Meanwhile, Turkey have been eliminated after just two games following poor showings against Australia and Paraguay.
In theory, based on past precedent in major tournaments, a coach would look to someone like Zendejas to get on the field and give him something to consider as he begins plotting rotations for the knockout bracket.
"Training hard and waiting for the opportunity, but I'm sure it'll come," Zendejas said of his approach in the absence of match action. "That's obviously a coach's decision and something I've got to respect. I'm working hard, having fun and really enjoying this dream that I'm living right now, so I couldn't ask for more. I'm happy to be here with the guys. I'm just happy."
Supporting role and team spirit
Of course, that sideline stationing does carry its own responsibilities during a game. As Alex Freeman waited to learn whether his header against Australia would count as his first career World Cup goal, the substitutes chided him for initially running the other way and said he should come to them. Sure enough, the defender took off toward his teammates clad in pinnies once the in-stadium announcement confirmed the goal.
For a player in a rare opportunity to play at a World Cup co-hosted by both his national team and his nation of birth, Zendejas would certainly relish some run-out to add to his career highlight reel. And if he does, he will have earned the look.
"The team is having fun. Training's intense, but in a good way," Zendejas said. "We're competing. I think that's [true] since the beginning of this whole camp. I think it's been a month now. But that does say a lot about this group, even [when camp is] like 10 days. Vibes are high there, so you can only imagine getting a month together. It's fun being around these guys. There's a bunch of joking around with them. When it comes to work and training and games, we get serious. We've been showing that for sure these past couple games."
