It was only a matter of time before Club America moved to first place in the Liga MX table. Building up momentum with seven consecutive wins, Las Aguilas sprinted to the top of the standings after Week 12, albeit with some controversy regarding Mexican-American dual-national Alejandro Zendejas that has overshadowed it all.
A scoreless draw pushed Monterrey down to second in the table, and just one point behind them, Pachuca have been making waves in recent weeks thanks to the form of striker Nicolas Ibañez and new signing Javier “Chofis” Lopez.
Looking further down the standings, Cruz Azul “Cruz Azuled” their way to a disappointing draw, while Pumas and Dani Alves once again failed to clinch a victory. There was also a midweek international friendly, some questionable officiating for Chivas, and a viral moment involving Jozy Altidore sipping what appeared to be a terrible-tasting sports drink.
There’s plenty to cover, so in case you missed anything, here are three talking points and some additional observations from Jornada 12 of the 2022 Apertura.
– Liga MX standings | Liga MX coverage on ESPN Deportes
– Futbol Americas on ESPN+: MLS, Liga MX, USMNT, El Tri
Amid national team switch drama, Zendejas leads Club America to first place
At the moment, the most talked about player in Liga MX isn’t a national team star or a high-profile addition from overseas. Instead, it’s Mexican-American dual-national Alejandro Zendejas.
After the Club America midfielder was surprisingly left out of a call-up for Mexico last month, rumors began to swirl about possible eligibility issues. By Aug. 26, FIFA told ESPN MX that they were investigating the status of the player who had reportedly yet to file a one-time switch to Mexico from the United States. Days later on Aug. 31, Mexico manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino told TUDN that Zendejas “didn’t want to sign” the document, saying “it’s almost an extortion” for the player to pressure him for World Cup roster selection first.
Club America manager Fernando Ortiz cautioned against Martino’s comments last Friday, noting that coaches should “be careful with your words and how you use them,” and by Saturday, Zendejas responded in his own way with a Man Of The Match-caliber performance in a dramatic 2-1 win over Tigres that propelled Las Aguilas into first place. Although he was lucky to not earn a red for a risky foul that was reviewed by VAR, the 24-year-old FC Dallas academy product was brilliant, creating an assist and forcing an own-goal from Tigres in the marquee game of the weekend.
It remains up in the air what FIFA will find regarding his eligibility and whether Martino will call him back to the national team, or possibly if the U.S. gives him an opportunity, but there’s no denying that he has been one of the best Liga MX players of the season. Interpret the celebration however you like but after forcing Tigres’ own-goal, which was essentially a goal from Zendejas, the player ran to a camera, imaginary phone in hand.
