U.S. men’s national team head coach Anthony Hudson said he was “disappointed” to learn Club América would not release Alex Zendejas for next week’s game against Mexico.
The winger was not on the USMNT squad for the first-ever Continental Clásico, which will take place on April 19 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
That wasn’t for lack of trying, Hudson said, telling reporters on Wednesday that América opted to keep Zendejas back in Mexico City.
“The club politely declined and that’s well within their right to do that,” Hudson said. “And all I will say is we were disappointed because we would have loved to have had him here. I know he was desperate to come.”
Zendejas suffered a broken nose in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Monterrey, an injury he will play through before having surgery at the end of the Liga MX season. Hudson said the injury could have been a factor in América’s decision.
“Who knows if the situation would have been different if it wasn’t for his injury,” the interim coach added.
Hudson did, however, make a point to praise América for its cooperation in the past — specifically for allowing Zendejas to join the USMNT’s January camp this year while he was still deciding whether to represent the U.S. or Mexico internationally.
“The fact that we’re in this position, talking the way we are to Alejandro and have built this relationship with Alejandro, is because the club have been so good with us,” Hudson said. “They didn’t need to let him come in January and they’ve been really, really supportive. So we have no issues with that. We accept it.”
Zendejas officially committed to the USMNT over Mexico last month.
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