It was a birthday to remember for U.S. men’s national team attacker Alex Zendejas.
Zendejas scored the winning goal for Club America on Saturday in a 1-0 triumph over Monterrey. The goal marked Zendejas’ first of the new Clausura season and his first overall since November 29, which also came against Monterrey.
Zendejas dialed up his own number in the 65th minute, breaking the deadlock with a composed left-footed finish. Jonathan dos Santos played Zendejas into the Monterrey box before the 28-year-old cut onto his left foot and drilled a shot into the bottom-right corner.
He played 79 minutes in the victory, creating two chances, winning three duels, and drawing one foul.
Zendejas will hope that Saturday’s game-winning goal will prove to be a major spark for him as Club America continues its busy schedule. Up next for Andre Jardine’s squad is a midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup second-leg showdown with Olimpia.
A strong second-half of the season could be vital for Zendejas if he wants to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup roster this summer.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Alyssa Thompson
Alyssa Thompson’s strong goalscoring run continued for Chelsea on Sunday.
Thompson scored once in Chelsea’s 2-0 WSL victory over Tottenham, helping the Blues rebound from back-to-back defeats. The U.S. women’s national team attacker scored for the second-straight match and for the fourth time in her past six appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea sit third in the WSL table and aren’t yet out of the league title race this winter/spring.
Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie helped spark a comeback draw for Juventus on Sunday.
McKennie’s fifth goal of 2026 kickstarted a 2-2 comeback home draw for the Bianconeri against Lazio on Sunday. The USMNT midfielder delivered a deft header at the near post before the hour mark to trim Juventus’ deficit to 2-1.
Luciano Spalletti’s squad would use a stoppage-time equalizer from Pierre Kalulu to extend their home league unbeaten streak to 16 matches.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce
Another weekend, another top performance from USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Tullis-Joyce registered a three-save clean sheet on Saturday as Manchester United defeated Leicester City 2-0 in WSL play. The 28-year-old helped the Red Devils extend their current winning streak to five matches and their overall unbeaten run to nine.
Up next for Tullis-Joyce and her Manchester United teammates is a midweek trip to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 16.
Rokas Pukstas
Hajduk Split got back on track in Croatia this weekend with Rokas Pukstas getting on the scoresheet.
Pukstas scored Hajduk’s opening goal in a 2-0 league victory over Slaven. The 21-year-old midfielder delivered a productive 90-minute shift, winning the most duels of any player on the field (13).
A healthy and in-form Pukstas could do wonders for Hajduk Split, who very well remain in the title race.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.
awful defense. if the helper takes a side angle zendejas is boxed. if someone tackles, end of play. instead everyone gets goal side then pokes their leg out like U5s. and the keeper’s feet are stuck in concrete.
i watch so many highlights these days, the 20 pass builds, where it’s like, do they not teach defense anymore? no wonder the USMNT seemed to need aggressiveness training. it’s like get back in your line and stand around.
I don’t know what your beef is with Zendejas, but it’s apparent. You can run through all of the reasons you don’t rate him, which is fine bc you’re entitled to your opinions, but what can’t be diminished is he’s been scoring goals at a prolific level over the last 1.5 seasons, something we can’t just bat an eye at. He operates really well in the pocket, can play make and scores goals…….I don’t get the dismissiveness
He is a brave player that we need.
I like him a lot as well, and it’s because he gives us a different profile than everyone else at that 10/inverted winger spot
Zendejas back in after the injury and making big plays. He brings something different with his left foot. Low center of gravity, and the ability with his quick first and second touch to open up opposing defenders.
the difference between that and most of his NT play is he didn’t dance for a half hour while creating zero separation then thud a cross into defender legs. 2 moves, gets his space, then a quick shot using his cut-recut against the keeper moving right.
to me, international wingers, the space is often on the first touch, you need to get right after a defense, no pausing, no lengthy dance while the defense gets back in numbers. get it, quickly create space, deliver a ball or shot. even pulisic sometimes just sits on the ball. we wait on the ball we often end up turning around and passing back.
Good points but I believe he brings a lot to the group and is inspired to deliver. If you need a guy who will get ‘stuck in’ he’s the one. Mentally he has it to go with the talent that I see.