Club America has a major injury worry on its hands only two weeks into the new Liga MX Apertura season.
Alex Zendejas is set to miss an indefinite amount of time due to a calf injury, the club announced Tuesday. The 26-year-old suffered the injury during Club America’s 3-1 league win to Queretaro last Friday, a match in which Zendejas assisted once.
He started and played 69 minutes before being substituted.
Zendejas has featured in all three of Club America’s matches to date this summer, registering a pair of assists. The U.S. men’s national team winger assisted in Club America’s 2-1 victory over Tigres in the Campeon de Campeones on June 30 before also featuring against Atletico San Luis and Queretaro respectively.
Zendejas has been a major part of the club’s attacking corps over the past three seasons, logging 26 goals and 11 assists over that span. He’s won three league titles with Club America, including a domestic double last season.
However, his absence will be sorely missed as Club America continues its league schedule against Tigres and FC Juarez over the next week.
quozzel,
I don’t know if this is just blowing smoke up someone’s ass but here’s news about a USMNT Spanish- style person that we did not need a unique GM to find:
https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/johnny-cardoso-usmnt-serie-a-fiorentina/
USMNT star could bolster Fiorentina as latest export to Italy
by Martina Alcheva July 17, 2024
Fiorentina is reportedly making significant strides in their quest to secure another USMNT player to transfer to Serie A. They want to lure Johnny Cardoso, the promising midfielder from Real Betis and the USMNT, Sky Italia says. This approach underscores the club’s determination to bolster its squad and maintain its presence in European competitions.
Cardoso, who turns 23 in September, joined Real Betis in January 2024 from Brazilian club Internacional for $6.5 million. Despite the modest transfer fee, Betis now demands $27 million for the midfielder, reflecting his growing value and potential. This steep price tag could pose a challenge for Fiorentina. Nonetheless, their interest signals a strategic move to enhance their midfield capabilities.
His dual nationality, holding both American and Italian passports, allows him to register in Serie A as an EU player, making him an even more attractive prospect for the Viola. This versatility removes the complication of occupying a non-EU player slot. This is often a precious and limited resource for Italian clubs.
Serie A side Fiorentina in pole position for Johnny Cardoso
After the disappointment of losing the Conference League final to Olympiakos, Fiorentina are keen on looking forward and strengthening their squad for the upcoming season. The club’s sporting director, Daniele Prade, is reportedly actively seeking reinforcements, particularly in midfield. While the pursuit of Kristian Thorstvedt has cooled, Cardoso has emerged as a prime target.
Cardoso’s profile fits well with Fiorentina’s ambitions. He has already earned 15 caps for the USMNT and made 19 appearances for Real Betis, contributing one goal and two assists. His journey from New Jersey to becoming one of the best midfielders in South America highlights his resilience and adaptability.
However, Fiorentina are not alone in their pursuit of Cardoso. Juventus and Roma have also shown interest in the midfielder. Roma, in particular, is keen on adding the young star to their ranks. La Gazzetta dello Sport said last month that Roma’s coach, Daniele De Rossi, sees Cardoso as a valuable addition who can provide continuity and complement key players like Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leandro Paredes, and Bryan Cristante.
Cardoso’s performances have not gone unnoticed by top clubs in Europe. His ability to protect the backline with discipline, coupled with his sharp passing and powerful long-range shots, has made him a standout player. His impact at Real Betis has been immediate, earning him a regular spot in Manuel Pellegrini’s starting lineup shortly after his debut.
Too much for Betis to resist?
Johnny Cardoso’s rise has been meteoric. He made his senior debut for Internacional just before his 18th birthday and went on to make 144 appearances for the club. His move to Real Betis in January marked a new chapter, and his performances in La Liga have been impressive. Despite the competition in the USMNT midfield, Cardoso has shown he is capable of securing a starting berth, even among talents like Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams.
Cardoso’s potential move to Serie A seems increasingly likely. Fiorentina and Roma are battling for his signature. His recent performances at the Copa America could further boost his stock. Betis, while reluctant to part with a young star, might find the right bid hard to resist.”
Or maybe this guy…
https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/usmnt-transfer-rumors/2024/7/17/24200273/report-luis-de-la-fuente-usa-usmnt-head-coach-interest-spain-euro-2024-uefa-nations-league
I keep holding out a little hope for Zendejas, mostly because I don’t think Gregg really knew what he had with the guy or had a clue how to use him. Watching what just happened with Diego Luna and it kind of seemed like Mitrovic had the same problem too.
It’s a big part of the reason I was kind of sour on Matt Crocker’s hire from the get-go. We’ve got a hybrid pool with some guys from the English-style soccer and some from the Spanish-style and for us to figure out how to blend the two it was going to take a fairly unique GM who straddled both schools, and I did not think that Crocker – a GM from England who comes across as English as English gets – was necessarily the guy to build that for US Soccer. Ironically enough, I just watched Spain dominate the Euros with the most convincing team I’ve ever seen them field that had achieved that hybrid vigor themselves…the inventors of Spanish-style Tiki-Taka were no longer playing pure Tiki-Taka but had also developed the ability to go direct and vertical and drive at people.
If we’re going to take the next step, we’re going to have to figure that out for ourselves. We’re not going to break into the top ten of International soccer by misusing or outright ignoring half our pool.
quozzel,
“We’ve got a hybrid pool with some guys from the English-style soccer and some from the Spanish-style and for us to figure out how to blend the two it was going to take a fairly unique GM who straddled both schools”
I don’t know about unique.
There are more than a few clubs in MLS and in the EPL that have figured out how to mix “English style” and “Spanish style”. Obviously they have a flexibility that national teams don’t have but I would not make it out to be some monumental deal.
Then again we are talking about the USSF.
To say you can’t mix the two styles is just a cop out.
“Crocker – a GM from England who comes across as English as English gets – was necessarily the guy to build that for US Soccer.”
If you’re suggesting that Matt has a distinct cultural preference remember that it was the USSF who hired him. They are to “blame”.
that’s a good 4-6 week rehab like a hammy. you step off a curb funny it wants to seize.
Dang he was having a good start to the season.