October 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, United States; USA defender Sergino Dest (2) looks to pass the ball during the second half against Ghana at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Preview:
Gregg Berhalter called Sergino Dest’s ill-advised sending off during a crucial match Monday “regrettable” and “inexcusable.”
Sergino Dest apologized to his teammates for his red card. (Photo USA TODAY)
By Michael Lewis
Editor of FrontRowSoccer.com
Gregg Berhalter called Sergino Dest’s ill-advised sending off during a crucial match Monday “regrettable” and “inexcusable.”
The head coach of the United States men’s national team says he and his team will hold the right back to account.
And he also said he was willing to give Dest a second chance.
Dest’s ill-advised red card in the second half of the United States’ 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals was topic No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the minds of the media. and many fans afterwards.
And rightly so, given that the PSV defender’s sending off had the Americans sweating throughout the match. A little in hot weather. They won the aggregate series, 4-2.
“It’s concerning because that’s not what we want to represent,” Berhalter said during a Zoom media call from Port of Spain, Trinidad. “That’s not who we are as a group. We pride ourselves on staying mentally disciplined and fighting against any kind of conditions, whether good or bad decisions. We are supposed to continue and respond appropriately. And that was obviously not the right answer from Sergino.
The scenario in question occurred in the 39th minute with the United States leading 1-0. A call that didn’t go Dest’s favor took place on the bench and the American defender didn’t like the decision and objected. He then threw the ball far, far away from the offense.
The next thing you knew, Dest received not one, but two yellow cards in a short period of time. His teammates, including captain and central defender Tim Ream and Gio Reyna, shouted at him. Dest was slow to leave the field and goalkeeper Matt Turner pushed his teammate off the field.
“He apologized to the group,” Berhalter said. “He said it wouldn’t happen again. As a team, players and staff, we must hold him accountable because this is inexcusable. It really is. We were very firm in our comments after the match. He put a number of guys in danger and made several guys do a lot of extra work in that time. And that is inexcusable.
But Berhalter wasn’t ready to close the door on…year-old Dest, who
When Weston McKennie broke curfew during 2021 World Cup qualifying, he was sent home by Berhalter. He was eventually reinstated to the team and became an important cog on the American side.
“Serg has done a great job of maturing and growing over his years with the group,” he said. “It has to be a learning experience. It will be a learning experience. The way we work is to give people second chances. We work with people; we help them overcome situations like this. So we will do the same with Sergino. He’s a talented player, an important part of our team, and we need to have good conversations with him to make sure we get them on the right path.
Because he saw red, Dest will not be able to play in the NLC in March. When asked if he would include Dest in the team for just one game (there are semifinals, a third-place game and a final), Berhalter bristled at the question.
“I’ve already been asked three or four questions about Sergino,” he said. “What I don’t want is for this to turn into a witch hunt. He’s a young player. He is a fantastic part of this team. He will learn. He will grow up. He made a stupid mistake. He knows it. He apologized to the team and we are moving forward.
Whether with or without Sergino Dest, we will probably have to wait until next March to know Berhalter’s decision.
