Sergino Dest won’t play a part in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.
Dest was sent off in the 39th minute of the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-1 quarterfinal second leg loss to Trinidad & Tobago on Monday night. The USMNT advanced to the 2024 Copa America and Nations League semifinals 4-2 on aggregate.
The 23-year-old assisted on Antonee Robinson’s opening goal in Port of Spain, but did not finish the first half on the field.
Dest was given two yellow cards in the 39th minute after not agreeing with referee Walter Lopez’s decision. Dest picked up the ball after a turnover and punted it off the field, leading Lopez to issue him a first yellow card.
The PSV defender proceeded to argue with Lopez about the decision, ultimately receiving a second yellow card and an ejection. Tim Ream, Gio Reyna, and Matt Turner were all seen in disbelief by Dest’s actions, which marked the second-consecutive Nations League tournament in which the right back was ejected in.
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Joe Scally replaced Reyna before halftime, taking Dest’s spot at right back.
Gregg Berhalter admitted postmatch that Dest apologized to the team after the game following his actions, but knows it was a silly mistake from the talented full back.
“It is concerning because that’s not what we want to represent,” Berhalter said. “That’s not who we are as a group. We pride ourselves in staying mentally disciplined, battling through any type of conditions, whether they’re good decisions or bad decisions. We’re supposed to keep going and respond in an appropriate way, and that obviously wasn’t the right response from Sergino.
“He apologized to the group,” Berhalter added. “He said it’s not going to happen again. As a team, the players, the staff, we need to hold him accountable because it’s inexcusable. It really is. And we were very firm with our words after the game. He put a number of guys in jeopardy, made a number of guys do a lot of extra work in this weather, and it’s inexcusable.”
Dest will now return to PSV for the continuation of his season-long loan spell from Barcelona.