How does the USMNT replace Sergino Dest?
The knee injury suffered at practice with PSV on Saturday is a huge blow for the 23-year-old outside back, who is in the middle of negotiations with the Dutch club over a permanent transfer from Barcelona, and for the USMNT, which faces its biggest test ahead of the 2026 World Cup when it plays in the Copa America this summer.
Despite his occasional lapses in attention — on the second Dutch goal at the 2022 World Cup — and in reason — his meltdown against Trinidad & Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals — he has been an irreplaceable force for the USMNT attack from his position at right back.
In all the USMNT’s biggest wins of the last 18 months, Dest has been in the middle of things — playing a header into Christian Pulisic’s path for the winning goal against Iran at the 2022 World Cup, running at the Mexico defense in the 3-0 and 2-0 wins over El Tri in the last two Nations League meetings and setting the tone with his runs down the right side in the 4-0 win over Ghana last October.
Given the limited attacking bite of the USMNT’s other defenders and its deep-lying midfielders, Dest’s absence will be all the more glaring.
The obvious choice to replace Dest is Joe Scally, who started in his place when he was suspended for the 2023 Nations League final and 2024 Nations League semifinals against Jamaica after red cards. But with the USA trailing the Reggae Boyz 1-0 last month, Scally was taken off at halftime and Weston McKennie slid over to take his place in a more advanced role at right back.
The only other USMNT player who has started at right back in an official “A” team match since the 2022 World Cup is Bryan Reynolds, in the 7-1 win over Grenada in March 2023. Reynolds is (or was) likely headed to the Olympics as a U-23 player.
Besides McKennie or one of the other central midfielders — remember the short experiment with Tyler Adams at inverted right back? — the other option is Tim Weah, who moved to right back when Scally was injured in the 2023 Nations League final. Weah was coming off a Ligue 1 season where he was mostly playing at right back for Lille. His move to Juventus, where he was acquired to start at right wing back, has been a disappointment.
Whatever U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter decides for the Copa America, the good news is that he will have two games — against Colombia and Brazil — in which to experiment before the tournament starts against Bolivia on June 23.
This will be a problem for generating attacking opportunities down the right side of the field. Dest had good rhythm with Musah and Weah. With the left already an issue that, can mean very little attacking abilities at all. Would probably try Weah in the role and hope for the best.
Kevin,
It is interesting that you say this. As most of the attacking opportunities with A Rob and CP on that side just don’t materialize because A Rob is not that kind of outside back. He has been getting better, but still have brick feet. He needs tons of space to just sprint down the wing and we hope for a good cross every now and then. Looks at goals scored by USMNT, they mostly come from the right, then the center, hardly ever from the left side of the attack. Again, this has been this way for years now.
Agreed Kevin, IF we need Attacking Back. Move Weah back there.
We seem to have Plenty of Forwards at the Moment…
If Copa Team needs Defensive Back; Scally can do the Job.
Or move Adams back there and Put Jonny at #6
I don’t understand how Dest is considered an irreplaceable force! Did Yedlin all of a sudden turn to garbage and lose his speed? Is Scally garbage? Dest is good, but I don’t think he is even close to irreplaceable. The Dutch league is good…not great. Why can Americans catch on with AC Milan but Dest cannot? I just don’t think he is a great as most people think he is.
Dest is good with the ball. The rest of the backs lack adequate ball skills. Ditto the keepers. We are 50 years past the time when elite teams could be successful fielding players with weak ball skills.
USSF’s view of the senior game is antiquated. So you should judge players by how well they play with and without the ball. USSF is clinging to turbo soccer because of the lack of ball skills in the players they select.
From the very first day of player development youth coaches favor size over talent.
Grant; .???
Really; … Can’t you see the Difference between Dest and Every other Right-Back for USA and 95% of the Right-Backs in the World.????
He’s Not Under Contract to Farça for Nothing…!!!
The Captain for ITALY Was the Right Back at Milan… That’s Why.!!!
It was a Stupid move as Far as Dest was Concerned: But, Farça and Milan(And Many other Teams) have a “Racket” where they “Loan” Players on High Salaries to other Clubs, and then they can Write OFF the “Business Loss” as a TAX Deduction.!!!
Interesting what you write Santi. Dest, at less than 24, how can he be expected to know such things, but his agent, that’s their job. Have not paid attention who his rep is but – certainly – should be fired, if was not already. The PSV thing happened because of Ernie Stewart, stepping in, almost certainly.
Then about why Dest is considered irreplaceable, it’s because of what everyone else writes and the author, and also, in the margins, his impact on the attack in games, from the fullback position – is far beyond what any other US player brings. Period. Scoring. Assists. Actions. He is above and beyond all others, and, he does it from the furthest position on the pitch – and don’t forget – the young man plays both sides! I add one more feature – not mentioned – or if it is – it’s as a negative – he brings passion to the game – the coach has to work – to dial this players intensity back – but push him. Attitude. He hates to lose, in the game, in the actions. I love this – and – it’s something he brings.
The injury to Dest just bring forward a glaring issue the men’s NT has had for quite some time. Outside backs are our weakest players of the team. Grant, all the ones you mention, with the exception of Scally (IMO), don’t offer anything in the attack. Cannot beat players 1v1 and don’t pose dangerous issues when they overlap with the attacking forwards. That is just the plain truth. Dest is not the best defender, but in today’s game with a back 4, your outside backs must contribute in the attack.
If there ever was a time to make a switch to a back 3 this would be that time, as we have more skilled and athletic CBs than outside backs. We have more midfield type players better on the ball that could play a wingback and don’t have to same defensive responsibilities that an outside back must provide in a back 4. Several of our players have been in those positions at club level. I think this is a better option to still create better attacking options and still provide a solid defense.
Reynolds is MORE Athletic than Dest…
NOT as Technical or “Savvy” as Dest…
But, he should be going to The Olympics…
Maybe his Belgian team will let him do both.???
we have glaring weakness in GK as well – in CB – and in Forward – it’s not exclusive – it’s just that – we bandaid many of the spots with players developed abroad – GK – we cannot hide currently – there’s always a ‘hope’ player. Fullback -one of the most difficult positions to develop. I can tell you this – from the highest levels in Uruguay – they ID player position at 9 – and all positions are coveted. Here in youth soccer – we don’t ID players positions – everyone want to be in the attack – and that’s where parents – who pay – and will pay more (private lessons coach?) – want their kiddos to – so every position in the back line and the GK too – are back filled – not by their physical (or mental – forget this here – so little understood that a CB and a GK – have certain mental characteristics – that are sometimes more important than the physical) – so anyway – this is the root problem we have here – in youth soccer – we start our players late – by the time all this is sorted – the kids are 18 – and they have not learned a position – bloody mess – that’s what we have – and – it’s reflected in the outcome – the players that emerge for the MNT – they are to be commended – they all survived – they were not cultivated, developed by the system, they survived the system. Good day.
Some good comments on Dest. He is without a doubt the best technical player on the USNT. He was developed in technical environment, and has a good resume i.e. Holland, Ajax,PSV, Barcelona, Milan. At Barca he had some issues ,at Milan ,somewhat, but in summation, I don’t know any player at USNT who can match his technical abilities, ball control, under pressure and savvyness in small spaces, and he does it all without Turbo in his game, for the rest are all built for Turbo.