The new Mexico boss wants the winger with El Tri — but he was nowhere to be found on his first roster
Mexico head coach Diego Cocca has said he’s actively looking to recruit Alejandro Zendejas — but the U.S.-eligible winger was not on his first roster after taking over El Tri.
Cocca, who was named Tata Martino’s successor last month, named a 34-player roster for Mexico’s Nations League matches against Suriname on March 23, and against Jamaica three days later.
Zendejas, who was born in Mexico and raised in the United States, played in two friendlies with Mexico’s senior national team after representing the U.S. at the youth level.
Speaking at a press conference after his roster was revealed on Thursday, Cocca said he is hoping to convince Zendejas to join Mexico but believes the winger still needs time to make his decision.
“I’ve spoken with [Zendejas] personally two times,” Cocca said. “First, I wanted to tell him that our intention is to have him with us. And second, I wanted to make clear that today he is not eligible because he has to sign a document to be with the Mexico national team. It’s his decision and we’ll give him time to make his decision.”
Zendejas not being on Mexico’s roster can be seen as a win for the USMNT, as his presence would have permanently tied him to Mexico. Should Zendejas be called up and play for the USMNT in its Nations League matches in March, he’d be permanently tied to the U.S.
It wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, but the U.S. men’s national team saw positives amid the acrimony and the muck at Estadio Cuscátlan after Tuesday night’s 1-1 CONCACAF Nations League draw with El Salvador.
“As we watch the weather come in yesterday, and the rain start pouring down, we knew it was gonna be a challenging game,” said USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter in the post-game press conference. “Really proud of the guys, the way they embraced that. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t complain. They didn’t complain yesterday in training, they didn’t complain today in the game. They just went about their business.”
Berhalter’s side fell behind on a goal that was equal parts stunning (Alexander Larín’s shot came from seemingly nowhere) and potentially morale-sapping, given that it involved a clear misread from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
The situation grew worse when Paul Arriola was sent off just minutes after entering the game, a play that drew protests from USMNT players and nearly sparked a scuffle between the teams.
However, they fought back with a stoppage-time equalizer from Jordan Morris, ending the June camp without a loss. For Berhalter, getting something out of the circumstances was a big deal.
“The group grows with moments like this,” explained Berhalter. “After the game, Jordan Morris walks into the locker room, and everyone starts to cheer, and everyone’s uniform is a dark brown color. You know, the shoes are a mess, the staff is all dirty. This is what builds teams.”
Morris, who hadn’t scored for the USMNT since a brace against Cuba in November 2019, agreed. “It was a tough game, obviously. Tough conditions, tough environment, playing against a good team. I thought the fight in the team was really, really good.”
Berhalter, while noting a halftime formation change to a more familiar 4-3-3 after starting the match in a 4-4-2 that the Fox Sports 1 broadcast said the USMNT planned in case the conditions deteriorated, credited the team with upping the intensity of their play as the main reason they came back.
“It’s not a normal game where you come from behind,” said Berhalter. “We had some some referee decisions that were questionable, I think. You had the weather conditions whether it be pouring rain, or the field conditions, the mud that we’re dealing with, some gamesmanship by the opponent.”
We talked before the game about embracing the battle, embracing what this game was going to be like, and the guys did an excellent job of doing that.”
Morris went one step past simply embracing the conditions, going so far as to call the downpour and the mud “fun.”
“These are kind of some of the fields I used to play on as a kid, being from Seattle. Obviously not the mud, but the rain, I love playing in the rain,” said Morris. “I was just embracing that moment. I think the team as a group just embraced the challenge.”
The USMNT’s four-game window ended with a game that was pure, undistilled CONCACAF
The U.S. men’s national team ended its four-match June window with a pure, undistilled taste of CONCACAF.
Tuesday night’s game in El Salvador had brutal challenges, fisticuffs between players, a pair of red cards, a goalkeeper howler, a blown penalty call, torrential rain, and mud. Lots and lots of mud.
In the end the USMNT drew El Salvador 1-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League, a result that was only secured by a late Jordan Morris equalizer after both teams had been reduced to 10 men.
The first goal on the night came from a bizarre bit of goalkeeping from Ethan Horvath. The Nottingham Forest keeper was caught out of position when Alexander Larín shot from an impossible angle far out on the flank, and then simply froze as he watched the ball sail into the back of the net.
That goal looked like it would stand up for the home side at the Estadio Cuscatlán, but Morris came off the bench to score a stoppage-time header and give the U.S. a deserved share of the points.
After a stop-start opening period the USMNT came out improved in the second half, with halftime subs Jesús Ferreria and Weston McKennie making a notable impact on proceedings right away.
It appeared a result may be slipping away in the 70th minute though, when Paul Arriola, having only come off the bench nine minutes prior, was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge.
But Yunus Musah, who again was perhaps the most impressive USMNT player on the evening, drew a straight red card on Ronald Rodríguez just minutes later after a surging run through the midfield forced the defender to take him down when he was set to be in alone on goal.
That set up a grandstand finish with Morris connecting off a cross from fellow substitute Luca de la Torre, scoring his first USMNT goal since coming back from a torn ACL suffered in February 2021.
Canada slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Honduras in CONCACAF Nations League play Monday night, and we do mean slipped.
Torrential rain soaked the pitch at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, and if anything the downpour got stronger as the match went on. Kevin Lopez and Kervin Arriaga struck for Honduras, and Jonathan David’s late goal (scored with standing water visible elsewhere on the field) didn’t spark a comeback. Alistair Johnston got a second yellow card deep into second-half stoppage time, all while Canada Soccer says fans got onto the pitch as well.
“It’s like trying to put a Formula 1 car on an off-roading track,” coach John Herdman told Canada Soccer’s official Twitter account after the match. “Every time we looked to play in certain areas, that we could get our best players moving, [the ball] would either hold up or slide off the pitch.”
“This is CONCACAF,” said Herdman. “Sometimes you’ve just got to grind a result out, and we didn’t do that tonight.”
“I just worry about the players’ safety,” said Herdman. That’s a big concern for me, when you see those players on the field, they’re putting their careers on the line. And fans, not once, not twice, not four times, maybe five times, are on the field doing what they want.” Herdman admitted that Canada “had our fans running on the pitch in Edmonton (after clinching a World Cup spot in qualifying), so we can’t complain about that.”
The game included a particularly CONCACAF-y ending, with the benches from both teams engaging in a shoving match at full time.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 14, 2022
Honduras is now three points clear of Canada in Group C, though Canada has two games left to play while los Catrachos have just one, a visit to Canada in March 2023.
“I couldn’t believe you’re going out on the pitch with $80 million players, and they’re allowed to play in puddles” said Herdman when asked about whether the game should have been postponed. “But, it’s football. It’s CONCACAF. You’ve got to get on it.”
Analyzing Wednesday’s El Salvador vs. USA odds and lines, with CONCACAF Nations League picks and predictions.
El Salvador welcomes USA to Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the El Salvador vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best USMNT bets, picks and predictions.
The United States Men’s National Team, after playing several friendlies and beating Grenada 5-0 Friday, will take on El Salvador in its second CONCACAF Nations League match.
The USA is in a 3-country group. The USMNT drew Uruguay 0-0 last Sunday and beat Morocco 3-0 June 1. It crushed Grenada behind 4 goals from F Jesus Ferreira.
El Salvador has already played 2 Nations League matches, drawing Grenada 2-2 at home and winning at Grenada 3-1.
While it appears El Salvador may have a capable attack, they had just 9 shots on goal, netting 5 of them. Those same opportunities most likely won’t be available against the USMNT.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
El Salvador vs. USA odds, lines, picks and predictions
The USA absolutely dominated Grenada. They had 68% of the possession and didn’t allow a single shot on target, holding Grenada, who did draw El Salvador, to just 3 shots.
While it is notable that the USMNT’s record is significantly worse on the road than in domestic play, where they crushed Grenada, I still see little way that El Salvador competes.
They’re more in the realm of Grenada and less like a top-15 FIFA team like USA. El Salvador ranks 74th in the world. While at home, El Salvador still shouldn’t get much traction.
At -270, I’m not banking on the USMNT putting their best product on the field and easily winning this battle either.
All 3 of the Nations League games that these teams have played have gone over this total. USA beat Grenada 5-0 while El Salvador beat them 3-1 and tied 2-2.
El Salvador has several MLS players on its roster and 31-year-old F Nelson Bonilla who netted 2 against Grenada in the 3-1 victory. While I expect the USA to come out on top, they haven’t allowed a goal in over 270 minutes.
Given the tired legs of D Walker Zimmerman, I expect to see at least 1 goal for the home side.
With the dominant attackers USA has, netting 5 on Grenada and 3 on top-25 Morocco, they should be able to score at will. USA had 25 shots on Grenada, 10 on target.
I expect a similar result as 2 of the USA’s 3 recent performances have gone over this against far more difficult opponents. Combine it all, and I expect the Over 2.5 (-107) to hit.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
And it was vindication for Berhalter, who kept Ferreira in his lineup while rotating many other members of his squad for Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League match at Q2 Stadium in Austin.
There was an expectation that Berhalter would give Haji Wright a start at striker against the minnows, but the U.S. boss clearly believed that getting Ferreira an inevitable multitude of looks at goal would be worth it.
Were the World Cup to start tomorrow Ferreira would be in pole position to start at striker, so it’s not hard to see why Berhalter prioritized the fragile confidence of the FC Dallas star over the chance to get a longer look at Wright.
That lack of confidence was on display for much of the first half, as Ferreira again flattered to deceive when given presentable chances in the box. But a 43rd-minute opener eased the nerves and set the stage for a grandstand second half.
It must be said that Ferreira first missed a sitter of a header before his second-half hat trick, but his second and third goals on the night appeared to come from a confident striker in top form. And to be fair, Ferreira is a confident striker in top form with FC Dallas, where he’s tied for the MLS lead with nine goals.
Even though he lit up the scoreboard in Friday’s 5-0 win, there will be more important tests for Ferreira to pass if he wants to be the guy in Qatar.
At least for one night though, he can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that his national team scoring slump is in the past.
Analyzing Friday’s USMNT vs. Grenada odds and lines, with CONCACAF Nations League picks and predictions.
USA welcomes Grenada to Q2 Stadium in Austin Friday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the USA vs. Grenada odds and lines, and make our best USMNT bets, picks and predictions.
The United States Men’s National Team, after playing several friendlies, will take on Grenada in its first CONCACAF Nations League action.
The USA is in a 3-country group along with El Salvador. The USMNT drew Uruguay, 0-0, last Sunday and beat Morocco, 3-0, the Wednesday before that as well.
Grenada has already played 2 Nations League matches, drawing and losing to El Salvador. It was a 3-1 loss and 2-2 draw.
While it appears Grenada may have a capable attack, they scored those 3 goals with a mere 7 shots on target. So it has been more about capitalizing on chances rather than creating them in volume.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
USMNT vs. Grenada odds, lines, picks and predictions
There’s just no good value here. That’s really all that needs to be said.
The USMNT has been dominant at home, winning 8 of their last 9 domestic games, which included a win over World Cup-qualifying Mexico. They recently drew Uruguay, a top-15 nation in the world.
Put it all together, and the USMNT should have no trouble taking on Grenada, a team that sits 170th on FIFA’s world rankings. The USMNT are 15th, which is why this massive valuation difference comes into play.
The USMNT has been playing some high-level matches lately that have been preparing the team for the November World Cup.
In doing so, M Weston McKennie and F Christian Pulisic have logged ample minutes. It wouldn’t be unlikely to see them pass the torch here, especially in a group that the US should easily dominate.
The US held Uruguay scoreless, so they should be able to secure a clean sheet against Grenada.
With how Gregg Berhalter will likely play this match, and the personnel he’ll use against Grenada’s subpar attack, I would play the UNDER 4.5 (+150) as the best and only reasonable bet.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
The U.S. won back-to-back regional tournaments, establishing a winning attitude and a bond between players
If fans look back on this era of the United States men’s national team as a turning point, one image will stand above the rest.
The picture, already immortalized on t-shirts, shows forward Christian Pulisic silencing the crowd of mostly Mexican fans at Empower Field at Mile High during the final of the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League. The star of the national team stood confidently with one finger to his lips while an exuberant group of young, talented players crashed in around him.
“I remember the Nations League final clear as day,” defender Reggie Cannon said. “I think it was an amazing environment because playing in those hostile conditions and then being able to pull a trophy out is just the best feeling as a group.”
It was a moment of relief, triumph and unbridled joy for a group carrying the burden of a battle most were not present for – the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“The past failures aren’t their fault, 2018 is not on them. But they will be judged based on that because it’s the U.S. men’s national team,” Herculez Gomez, former USMNT forward and co-host of ESPN’s “Futbol Americas,” told ProSoccer Wire.
“Whether it’s fair or not, they have this burden to carry, and they have to pull that failure out of the minds of the U.S. men’s national team fans, pundits and even pundits from other national teams, because the way this team is viewed – the way U.S. soccer is viewed – will depend on them in this World Cup.”
Now, a year later, the United States embarks on a Nations League title-defending run with a different goal ahead – one that is a precarious mix of team effort and individual competition.
While the 2021 Nations League final was a launching point into a successful World Cup qualifying campaign, the early stage of this year’s tournament will be used to evaluate the best combination of 23 players (or 26 if FIFA approves a proposal to expand the roster) to succeed in Qatar this November.
A trial run for World Cup qualifying
It had to be Pulisic to score the 114th minute penalty against Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, giving the USMNT the victory and inaugural Nations League trophy in 2021.
A week removed from becoming the first American man to play in and win a UEFA Champions League final, Pulisic was shedding the ghosts of Couva with a new group of players writing their own story.
Jun 6, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) scores on a penalty kick in extra time against Mexico during the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
A month later, the USMNT – composed of almost an entirely different group of players – collected its second regional trophy, winning the Gold Cup with a last-minute set piece goal from center back Miles Robinson against, who else, Mexico.
Both tournaments acted as springboards for World Cup qualifying later that fall.
“Each tournament was a stepping stone in the right direction for us. The Nations League was a stepping stone for us to go into the Gold Cup and have a great result, and then go into World Cup qualifiers,” midfielder Kellyn Acosta said. “I think we are using each of our opportunities to grow as a group.”
After the blow of missing the World Cup, an early lesson for the current group came in a humbling 2-0 loss to Canada in October 2019 in the Nations League.
“The game in Canada that we lost, it was a real wake-up call for us as a group as to how difficult these games are and not to take anything for granted,” Berhalter said. “And specifically the amount of intensity that we need to bring to each and every game.”
The U.S. bounced back with a 4-1 win at home against Canada a month later and finished atop the group stage with a 4-0 win over Cuba.
And then 2020 hit. After just one friendly against Costa Rica, the U.S. and the rest of the world was put on pause by the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. The subsequent round of the first CONCACAF Nations League was pushed to summer 2021, adding to an already congested schedule that included the Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Having the Nations League and Gold Cup back to back provided Berhalter with the ability to use two completely different squads in two major regional competitions. As a result, a program-high 29 players earned their first World Cup qualifying cap during the road to Qatar.
“A lot of MLS guys got their opportunity when it came to the Gold Cup to be able to cement themselves in this World Cup squad building on that Nations League win,” Cannon said. “That group set the standard, and it’s been carried out ever since.”
A balanced approach
Sports, and specifically soccer, are not always about results. Though the U.S. came away champions twice in two months, the bonding experience from those tournaments also flowed over into World Cup qualifying and now World Cup preparations.
It has taken those games and a massive group of players to pick up the pieces from a lost World Cup cycle.
“They’re in a Lord of the Flies-type of mentality of kids governing kids,” Gomez, who made a World Cup roster in 2010 after missing all of qualifying and missed the 2014 World Cup due to injury, said. “Nothing taken away from Gregg Berhalter, but Gregg came in, and out went the Jozy Altidores. Out went the Michael Bradleys and Geoff Camerons, the Matt Beslers and Omar Gonzalezs.
“In came players like Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Zack Steffen, Timothy Weah, etc. And [Berhalter] empowered them: ‘This is your team. We’re gonna get through this together.’ There’s something to be said for that. So that unity is there.”
Now that World Cup Group B is set, after Wales defeated Ukraine in a playoff match to fill the final spot, the U.S. can officially start planning for the tournament.
They played top-25 FIFA ranked Morocco and Uruguay in two June friendlies before Friday’s Nations League game against Grenada in Austin, Tex. – a major drop-off in competition from international-caliber talent like PSG defender Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Benfica forward Darwin Núñez of Uruguay.
“A word to kind of describe it is like ‘frenemies,’ right?” Acosta said. “Where we’re friends off the field, but on the field, we’re competing. I’m bringing it, you’re bringing it, and I think that’s positive.”
Cannon and fellow right back DeAndre Yedlin – the only player currently in camp who has been to a World Cup – are battling for the same position. Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest maintains a grip on the starting role but was not in the June window camp due to injury.
“[Sergiño is] messaging me,” Cannon said. “We’re competing for a World Cup roster spot, but that doesn’t mean that the relationship has to deteriorate.”
For Berhalter, June has been another chance to see how players work together and which matchups work best. But it hasn’t made the final decision any easier from an emotional standpoint.
USA head coach Gregg Berhalter watches during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Uruguay Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“I’m pretty confident that … the players that do make [the World Cup roster] will be just as upset for the guys that don’t make it as the guys that aren’t. That’s how tight this group is,” Berhalter said. “It’s going to be very difficult for us as coaches to pick the final slot. And all of us are going to be sad when we have to tell a player that he’s not going to be part of this World Cup.”
Friday’s game in Austin (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, UniMás, TUDN) is an oddly timed send-off of sorts for the team, but it’s far from the final stretch before the World Cup. After Grenada, the United States travels to El Salvador for the competitive environment at Estadio Cuscatlán, and then the team will play two final friendlies at away locations in September.
“Right now, I see the group is pulling together,” Berhalter said. “They pull in the same direction.”
Mexico will emerge as winners in CONCACAF Nations League Group B irrespective of its result at home to Bermuda on Tuesday, with only its perfect first-round record at stake. El Tri has scored 11 times in their previous two meetings with vs. Bermuda (conceding once), but only a draw or better at the Estadio Nemesio Diez will save Bermuda from relegation to League B.
The Gombey Warriors were eased aside 5-1 when they hosted Mexico in October, handing Gerardo Martino’s side its maiden win in this tournament and a bright start in Group B. Jose Juan Macias netted twice in his competitive debut for Mexico, with the Leon star joined on the score sheet by Hirving Lozano, Hector Herrera and Uriel Antuna.
Queens Park Rangers forward Nahki Wells bagged Bermuda’s consolatory strike that day and is the only player from Kyle Lightbourne’s squad to have scored in this competition so far (three total).
Tuesday’s visitors have a League A future to fight for approaching their final game in Group B, where Bermuda is at the bottom of the pile, but level on points with Panama. A draw or better will keep them in the top division and secure automatic qualification to the 2021 Gold Cup.
However, Mexico has won its last four games and looks to be in an unforgiving mood of late. Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez returned to the XI and scored twice in Friday’s 3-0 triumph away to Panama, their third straight game netting three times or more.
Bermuda also beat Panama on its own soil, but the subsequent disappointments against Mexico (1-5) and Guatemala (0-0 friendly draw) have been less than inspiring.
More than 30 years have passed since Bermuda last defeated Mexico—a 2-1 home win in 1987 during qualification for the 1988 Summer Olympics—and the margins between the two have only expanded since.
Martino may field a slightly weakened side to rest some important stars, but Bermuda will be fighting for every inch as it seeks to preserve its place among the CONCACAF Nations League elite.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
The Mexican national team has a chance to secure a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League playoffs when it travels to Panama for its third group stage match tonight. El Tri has predictably made light work of the competition thus far, including a 3-1 win over this same Panama team at home last month. If they can go away from home in a tough environment and pick up three points, the road to winning another CONCACAF competition will open up for Mexico.
The most impressive thing about Mexico easily pushing through the group stage of this new tournament is that Tata Martino has taken the chance to incorporate some younger players into his already stacked squad. Established stars like Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Hector Herrera all get to rest with their European clubs while some new faces get to prove they belong on the international level.
Jose Juan Macias, a 20-year-old forward who plays for Club Leon, has been the newcomer to shine given the chance. He has three goals through the opening two matches and looks to be setting himself up for a bigger role with the team in the future.
For now, it’s all about clinching a playoff spot for Martino’s young squad. Mexico has proven to be an unstoppable juggernaut in the region and Tata’s introduction as manager has only magnified that. Despite a slip-up against top competition, Mexico’s stranglehold on CONCACAF has only become more firm since the Argentinian took over at the beginning of the year.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
