Club America moved one step closer to their 16th Liga MX title after a 2-1 win over Monterrey. In the first half, Sergio Canales scored and his goal was canceled out by Kevin Alvarez before Alex Zendejas scored the go-ahead goal. Although there is more work to be done on the second stage in Monterrey, it is important here to get an early lead.
“We could have increased the lead further, but we showed that we are hungry and we will do everything we can to achieve this third championship,” said Alvarez. said after the game.
The US defense was a big story in the Liga MX play-offs and now they have shown they can slow down a dangerous attack that scored twelve goals in the play-offs before that, but over the past few games the emergence of Zendejas crucial . The American winger has now scored in two consecutive games and has contributed eight goals and five assists for America this season with a goal and an assist.
Now in his fourth season with the club, Zendejas is coming into his own, which will be critical to the future depth of the United States Men’s National Team. Despite only making four caps in 2024, Zendejas has made all of these appearances under new USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, which will bode well for his future chances as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup on home soil in the United States .
America then travels to Rayados at their home stadium in Monterrey on Sunday, December 15. If they can maintain their one-goal lead on aggregate, they will secure a Liga MX Apertura title after finishing eighth in the table. . If the match is level on aggregate after 90 minutes, penalties and extra time will be taken if necessary, but America will look to get things done during regulation to ensure they have the best possible chances, as depth is likely to Rayados’ advantage.