USA World Cup hopeful Zendejas heroic, but America's Liga MX playoff comeback comes up short

Alejandro Zendejas led América's spirited playoff comeback against Pumas Agustin Cuevas / Getty Images Share articleIf Alejandro Zendejas’ performance in the Liga MX playoffs is any indication, he is doing everything he can to make the U.S. World Cup roster. And despite Club América’s attempt at an epic comeback coming up just short, he’s given Mauricio Pochettino quite a lasting impression and something to consider. Zendejas spearheaded América’s comeback from three goals down in the second leg of its Liguilla quarterfinal vs. top-seeded Pumas UNAM, with the U.S. winger scoring two goals after assisting on his club’s opener on a wild night in Mexico City that ended in a 3-3 draw. Unfortunately for No. 8 seed América, the better team from the regular season is the one that goes through in the event of an aggregate draw, per Liga MX regulations, and so No. 1 Pumas advanced to the semifinals to face Pachuca after a 6-6 aggregate stalemate. The clubs also tied 3-3 in last weekend’s quarterfinal first leg, with Zendejas scoring a late penalty. Pumas raced out to a 3-0 lead after 23 minutes on Sunday night, though, seemingly snatching control and that place in the semis. That’s when Zendejas got to work. First, he assisted Patricio Salas off a corner kick delivery on the half-hour mark to cut into the lead, and 10 minutes later he pulled América within one with another spot kick that beat Pumas goalkeeper and Costa Rican legend Keylor Navas. In the 61st minute, Zendejas beat Navas in the air, heading in from close range to improbably pull América level once again. 23': Pumas 3-0 Club America (Agg. 6-3)… 30': Pumas 3-1 Club America (Alex Zendejas assist) ⚽️40': Pumas 3-2 Club America (Alex Zendejas goal) ⚽️61': Pumas 3-3 Club America (Alex Zendejas goal) ⚽️ EPIC COMEBACK FROM @CLUBAMERICA_EN IN THE LIGA MX QUARTERFINAL SECOND LEG 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZmTYb6a0pP — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 11, 2026 América still needed a fourth to overcome the tiebreaker, and Las Aguilas were gifted that opportunity in the 87th minute on another penalty. Henry Martín, not Zendejas, stepped to the spot, and promptly put his low chance off the post, missing out on the chance to take the aggregate lead and send América through. ¡HENRY MARTIN FALLA DESDE LOS ONCE PASOS! ¡KEYLOR ATAJA EL PENAL AL MINUTO 86! ❌🔥😱 ¡Qué locura de partido! ¡Madre mia! #MasQueUnPartido pic.twitter.com/mQJOm9z4Qg — TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) May 11, 2026 Zendejas’s playoff performance came after a regular Clausura season in which he missed some time with injury but still managed three goals and three assists in 10 matches. He’s seeking a place on the U.S. World Cup team, though he hasn’t appeared for Pochettino since scoring an impressive goal to open the scoring vs. Japan in September 2025. That win started a run of five unbeaten for the U.S. (4-0-1) until consecutive losses to Belgium and Portugal in late March. His omission from those two matches caught the eye of América manager André Jardine, who questioned the roster decision and called Zendejas a top-three player in all of Liga MX. Whether that’s enough to be named as one of the 26 representing the U.S. will be determined when Pochettino picks his squad on May 26. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms