USMNT Sergino Dest ripped after receiving unnecessary red card
United States Men's National Team (USMNT) starting right back Sergino Dest was blasted online after losing his cool in the Nations League quarterfinal against Trinidad and Tobago, forcing the USMNT to play with 10 players for most of the game.
Up 1-0 in the first half, Dest, frustrated by officiating, purposefully kicked the ball into the stands to receive his first yellow card. He continued to chirp at the official despite pleas from teammates to stop before getting a second yellow. During the sequence, defender Tim Ream got into a heated conversation with Dest, and goalie Matt Turner shoved him as he left the field.
As former USMNT player Taylor Twellman noted, Dest showing a shocking lack of composure won't go unnoticed by future opponents. It should raise serious red flags for coach Gregg Berhalter, knowing that he can't count on Dest to put the team over some petty squabble with a ref.
Because of his red card, he won't be available for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. His availability afterward should be in question, too.
Once he was dismissed with a red card, Trinidad and Tobago scored two goals to take a 2-1 lead. The U.S. won the quarterfinal on aggregate, 4-2, advancing to the Nations League semifinal. But the team has serious issues to address, beginning with what it does with Dest going forward.
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