Zendejas waits for his chance in Pochettino's system

Alex Zendejas has spent the opening two matches of the 2026 World Cup as a spectator. While the USMNT secured group-clinching victories over Paraguay and Australia, the Club América winger remained glued to the bench. Pochettino opted for established starters, leaving the dual-national waiting for his first tournament minutes.

The USMNT finds itself in a rare position regarding the upcoming match against Turkey. With six points from two games, qualification is already locked. Pressure is nonexistent. This creates the window for rotation, and Zendejas is the primary candidate to enter the fray. He has remained vocal about his patience while acknowledging the burning desire to contribute on home soil.

I’m sure it’ll come. I’ve just got to be ready for when it happens.

That quote captures the professional frustration of a player who carved out a crucial role in Liga MX only to be sidelined by tactical decisions. Zendejas was a surprise inclusion for many pundits when Mauricio Pochettino announced the squad. His versatility usually makes him a Swiss Army knife for attacking rotations, yet he has struggled to find a foothold in this specific formation.

Tactical rigidity limiting rotation

Pochettino’s reliance on a consistent XI has yielded results. The victories against Paraguay and Australia suggest a manager who prioritizes Chemistry over experimentation. However, the lack of minutes for bench players might haunt the team in the knockout stages. If a key starter picks up a suspension or a minor knock, the lack of match fitness among the reserves will be glaring.

Zendejas offers a profile the team currently lacks: the ability to cut inside from the right and threaten the goal directly. His time at Club América has seasoned him in hostile environments, making him theoretically ready for high-stakes minutes. The decision to overlook him in favor of more static wing options early in the tournament remains the most visible flaw in Pochettino's current set-up.

The game against Turkey is essentially an audition. If Zendejas fails to register an impact against a defensive unit that has looked shaky throughout the group stage, his tournament may effectively end before it truly begins. The manager needs to see if Zendejas can transition his club-level production to the international stage. Anything less than a dominant performance will cement him as an end-of-bench rotation piece.

The stakes for the USMNT depth

Depth is the silent killer of World Cup dreams. Heavyweights like Brazil or France can sub in world-class talent to change the momentum of a 0-0 deadlock. The USMNT does not have that luxury. The drop-off between the top three attacking players and the rest of the roster is steep. Zendejas providing a burst of offense off the bench would change the internal calculus regarding how this team competes in the Round of 16.

Looking at the match timeline, this isn't just about giving minutes to the reserves to keep morale high. It’s a logistical necessity for the coaching staff. If the USMNT wants to avoid a collapse after the group stage, they require a deeper bench. As reported earlier today, Zendejas understands his role in this transition. He isn't pushing for media attention. He is pushing for a jersey.

The defensive stability of the team has been impressive, conceding only one goal in 180 minutes of play. However, the offensive output has relied heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive, high-tempo patterns. Zendejas represents a different look—a direct run at the defender rather than the patient buildup currently favored by the tactical staff. If he starts on the right flank, expect a shift in how the team progresses the ball into the final third.

Failure to integrate younger or under-utilized talents risks stagnation. Pochettino has a reputation for intense training sessions, but practice intensity rarely matches the chaotic environment of a matchday. Zendejas needs to prove he can handle the pace during the dead-rubber match against Turkey. He has 90 minutes to claim his spot in the traveling party for the next round.

The optics of the squad selection were always going to be scrutinized. Leaving out high-floor players for high-ceiling gambles creates inherent tension. Pochettino is walking a fine line. He must maintain the winning momentum generated by the victories over Paraguay and Australia while ensuring he hasn't burned out his best players by the 180th minute of the tournament. The next match is the acid test for Zendejas.