Berhalter Should Not Call Up Sergiño Dest in March
For those who are unaware, the U.S. advanced to the semifinals of the 2023-2024 CONCACAF Nations League and booked their ticket to the 2024 Copa América Monday night after defeating Trinidad and Tobago in the Nations League quarterfinals.
This might seem fine and dandy if you were to look purely at the 4-2 aggregate victory for the U.S., but if you watched the second leg in Port of Spain, then you know the U.S. struggled to get over the finish line. And the reason for this struggle was Sergiño Dest.
In the 38′ of the game, while the U.S. was already up 1-0 in the match and 4-0 on aggregate, Dest had the most unnecessary and unprofessional temper tantrum I have ever seen someone wearing the red, white and blue have. After trying to save an overhit switch from Tim Ream from going out of bounds, Dest picked up the ball and blasted it into the stands after the sideline official said the ball rolled out of bounds.
This is something you never see from a top-level player. Just because you do not get the call you want, you do not grab the ball with your hands (something that is pretty frowned upon in the game of soccer) and then kick it as hard as you can off of the field.
He did not just stop there, either. Dest then proceeded to cover his mouth and aggressively chirp center referee Walter Lopez. Now, I do not know exactly what he said, but I have a strong feeling that it was less than flattering, and it proved to be the final straw for Dest. Without hesitation, Lopez reached into his back pocket, and the U.S. was down to 10 men.
By having his little temper tantrum, Dest let down his teammates, his coaches and his nation. Luckily, the U.S. already had a 4-0 aggregate lead, because as soon as Dest was sent off, the complexion of the game completely changed. Two goals were put past Matt Turner, and in all honesty, it should have been more.
It is not just the fans who are visibly upset by Dest’s actions. During the game, Ream, Turner and other U.S. players showed their frustration with Dest after he was sent off. And, after the game, Ream called out Dest for his unprofessional actions. A matter like this is usually dealt with in the locker room, so the fact that Ream, the U.S.’s captain and Mr. Cool in the backline, said this in a post-game press conference shows just how furious he and the rest of the national team were with Dest.
Yes, the U.S. still advanced to the next round of the Nations League, but Dest should not be involved in the semifinals and finals in March. Any player who selfishly leaves their team stranded like that needs an extended time out.
Now, in full disclosure, I am not the biggest Dest fan. I have always thought he plays stupidly and cannot defend to save his life. However, I was still aware enough to know that he is our best right back. After this, however, I do not want to see him wearing the U.S. Soccer crest for a bit. Gregg Berhalter, give me Joe Scally at right back and let Dest sit in the corner and think about what he did.
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