Zendejas in Doubt

Winger May Be Unavailable Against Chivas on Saturday

Alejandro Zendejas' availability for Club América's crucial weekend clash against Chivas remains uncertain after the U.S. international was held out of Thursday's Concacaf Champions Cup match against Olimpia as a precautionary measure.

The Mexican-American winger has been managing discomfort since América's recent encounter with Monterrey, where he requested an early substitution to prevent aggravating the issue. While manager André Jardine initially downplayed the severity, calling it minor.

His potential absence looms large over Saturday's National Classic. When Zendejas doesn't feature, América's offensive output noticeably declines—a concerning reality for supporters ahead of the rivalry showdown. The 28-year-old has been in good form when healthy, recently scoring the match-winner against Monterrey on his birthday with a composed 65th-minute strike.

Meanwhile, América has moved to bolster its squad with reinforcements. Brazilian midfielder Vinícius Lima attended the Olimpia match from the stands and has been confirmed ready for the Chivas clash by Jardine. The Concacaf Champions Cup represents a vital objective for Jardine's project, but the absence of Zendejas and midfielder Alan Cervantes forces immediate tactical adjustments as América navigates a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.

Haji vs Morris in the Championship

American Duo Will Face Off Monday as the Top Two Championship Sides Battle

Two U.S. internationals will be central figures when Coventry hosts Middlesbrough on Monday in a Championship showdown between the division's top two sides.

Aidan Morris has been instrumental in Boro's stunning ascent to first place, starting all eight matches since the new year. The midfielder has impressed in recent outings against Sheffield United and Norwich City, contributing to a side that's collected the most points in the division (31) under new manager Kim Hellberg. Morris has featured in 25 Championship matches this season, starting 22 while recording two assists as Middlesbrough surged two points clear at the summit.

Meanwhile, Haji Wright's fortunes reflect Coventry's recent struggles. The forward has gone scoreless in his last three appearances after finding the net in consecutive matches against Millwall and Leicester City in mid-January. Despite the drought, Wright has tallied 10 Championship goals in 27 matches this season.

The stakes couldn't be higher for Monday's clash at the CBS Arena. Coventry, once 10 points clear in late November, now find themselves looking upward for the first time in four months. Frank Lampard's side has managed just four wins in 13 matches, with their manager acknowledging the mental challenge facing his squad. Middlesbrough arrives riding a six-game winning streak, having revolutionized their approach since Hellberg's appointment following Rob Edwards' departure to Wolves.

Adams Close to a Return

Midfielder Made the Bench on Tuesday After Two Months Out With a Knee Injury

Tyler Adams is poised to return to Bournemouth's matchday squad after a two-month absence stemming from a knee injury suffered in December's clash with Manchester United.

The U.S. midfielder was forced off just five minutes into the 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford after colliding with Matheus Cunha while blocking a shot. Manager Andoni Iraola initially feared medial collateral ligament damage, calling it "the worst news from the game." Adams departed with a visible limp, unable to continue despite walking off independently.

The injury came at an inopportune moment for the 26-year-old, who had been thriving with the Cherries. He'd started nearly every Premier League match and earned November's Goal of the Month for a stunning 47-yard strike against Sunderland, adding another goal versus Manchester City earlier in the campaign.

Iraola confirmed Monday that Adams had rejoined first-team training, though Tuesday's trip to Everton appeared premature for his comeback, as he was on the bench. "Tyler will train today," the manager stated. "Maybe it's early for tomorrow, but he's getting closer."

Adams' return would provide crucial reinforcement to Bournemouth's midfield and ease concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where the former USMNT captain figures prominently in Mauricio Pochettino's plans. Following an injury-ravaged 2023-24 season, his resurgence this campaign—32 appearances across all competitions—has been vital to the Cherries' success.