A Dutch-born player could be key to U.S. World Cup upset bid
In the World Cup Round of 16 against the Netherlands on Saturday, a Dutch-born player could be the key for the U.S. in its upset bid on soccer's grandest stage.
United States defender Sergiño Dest was born in Holland and went through the famed Ajax Academy, which helped launch him as a professional. Thanks to Dest's Surinamese-American father, he chose to represent the U.S. internationally.
"I know almost every single guy over there," Dest said, via ESPN. "Yeah, it's going to be fun of course. I was born there, I speak the language, and I know all these guys. They want to go through, but we have the same dream. It's going to be a fight again."
In the group stage, Dest assisted on the goal that lifted the U.S. past Iran, 1-0.
Per ESPN, "That Dest was involved in the goal isn't a surprise. His attacking instincts have long been his greatest asset."
The U.S. faces a challenge against a gifted Dutch team of stars and rising stars.
The Netherlands' Cody Gakpo scored in all three matches of the group stage -- the first player from his country to do so.
A U.S. victory over the Netherlands would be monumental for American soccer. In the past, the U.S. hasn't produced talent to play in the major world leagues.
But most of the stars for the U.S. play for big clubs in Europe. Dest, 22, plays for the Serie A club AC Milan.
The winner of Saturday's match will advance to a quarterfinal against Argentina or Australia on Dec. 9.
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