USMNT’s Sergiño Dest comes off with apparent hamstring injury in PSV win | USA
American defender Sergiño Dest limped off with an apparent hamstring injury during PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league on Saturday, putting him in doubt for the USMNT’s upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
Dest grabbed his left hamstring and cried out in pain while covering his eyes after falling in his own penalty area while chasing Alkmaar’s Wouter Goes in the second half. The full-back was substituted in the 57th minute, leaving the field with the help of two caregivers, unable to put weight on his left leg.
“He landed on the ground after a full sprint and grabbed his hamstring. That’s usually not good news,” PSV coach Peter Bosz said.
The United States will host Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on April 1 in preseason games for the World Cup, which it co-hosts with Mexico and Canada in June and July.
“I’m going out for a little while to do what I love the most!” Dest wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “But one thing is certain, this is NOT the end of the season!”
The 25-year-old has two goals in 37 international caps and has started all four of the United States’ matches at the 2022 World Cup.
He joined PSV from Barcelona but was out for almost 11 months after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in April 2024, missing that year’s Copa América. If Dest is unable to participate in the World Cup, Juventus’ Tim Weah – on loan to Marseille – could play the role of right back, or right winger if Mauricio Pochettino chooses to use three central defenders as he has for the last US matches. Villarreal’s Alex Freeman and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Joe Scally are also options.
Dest’s American teammate Ricardo Pepi scored PSV’s winning goal from close range in the 86th minute of that match. It was his 10th league goal this season and his 13th in 26 matches in all competitions.
