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Alejandro Zendejas shines for the USMNT in a 2-1 loss to Serbia…as coach Anthony Hudson says if they can keep him from defecting to Mexico ‘regardless of what happens in this window, it’s a success’
United States men’s team boss Anthony Hudson praised forward Alejandro Zendejas after his brilliant performance against Serbia during a friendly in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Despite the 2-1 loss, Zendejas’ performance was one of the best of the night. Even though he was unable to produce anything in terms of goals and assists, his play on the ball and creating chances was a sight to behold.
He spellbound Hudson, who said in a postgame news conference that he begged Zendejas to stay with the USMNT, but the forward was set to return to Mexico City and Club America that night.
Alejandro Zendejas put in an admirable performance in the United States’ 2-1 loss to Serbia in Los Angeles
When asked to describe his work, Hudson began by gathering just a few words.
‘Wow. Amazing. Just… obviously she has to go back to her club tonight. She was practically trying to beg him to stay because she thought he was exceptional.
You know, he came in, he’s been in for a few days. Like he… you saw him tonight, you see his personality on the field and he’s a really exciting player.
Good quality excited player, technically very, very strong. He really attacks mentally. And I just don’t love his desire to move on…
Making races, very good combination game. This boy is a very good player. So we’re glad that he came over and we got a chance to see him, he had a chance to see us to see the charts to see that yes. So yeah, I tried to beg him to stay.
Head coach Anthony Hudson said he ‘begged’ Zendejas to stay at USMNT camp
Hudson added that the camp would be a success if “Alejandro is someone who can stay with us.”
Hudson went on to say that if they can convince the Zendejas Mexican Americans to commit to staying with the United States, then this entire January camp could be considered a success.
“Well, I think if we get out of this window, and Alejandro is someone who can stay with us, and obviously there are a lot of other really good guys that have come in, interesting players, but if we get to the end of this window and Alejandro, you know, we can keep it with us, I think this has been, regardless of what happens, a great success.
Because this guy is… he’s an exciting player. And he is someone who can help the team. I think he can… I think he adds depth to the team, I think he’s there, you know, in a position where he can step in and help the team, you know, with our entire team.
And it’s also someone who is slightly different in terms of their characteristics than what we have. So, yeah, look, I think he’s been great. We have been able to bring it. And we’d love to bring it back, for sure.
Zendejas could still request a one-time trade to officially join the Mexican national team.
Zendejas can still technically choose to play for the Mexican national team if he wants to, considering this was not a competitive call-up.
He previously played for the US at the youth international level, meaning he would have to request a one-time trade to join Mexico.
The Mexican national team previously called it up for two friendlies, a move that forced FIFA to fine the FMF almost $11,000 and Mexico to forfeit the results of both games for using it illegally.
Zendejas was not banned from playing for Mexico, which means he could still request that trade and commit to the Mexican national team if he wanted to.