United States defender Sergino Dest (2) Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

USMNT Sergino Dest ripped after receiving unnecessary red card

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/20/23

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.

¿QUÉ LE PASÓ A DEST? ❌

Sergiño es expulsado por reclamar… ¡Y por aventarle un beso al arbitro!

Trinidad y Tobago 0-1 Estados Unidos (Global: 0-4)

EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/dqFfMj25Mv #FutbolUSA #CNL #USMNTtelemundo #USMNT pic.twitter.com/rt04kRYYOJ
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 21, 2023

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.

This kid has played for some of the biggest teams in world ⚽️ . .with some of the best players in the world.

In what world does he think this is acceptable?? Seriously #USMNT #Dest

The look of disgust from his teammates says it all.

pic.twitter.com/9uKKVw17oc
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) November 21, 2023

One of the most ignorant, ridiculous, unprofessional tantrums you’ll see as Sergiño Dest becomes the maker of his own downfall and gets himself sent off.

My god, man.

(via @tdmas_cr)
pic.twitter.com/YKtA515iga
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) November 21, 2023

Two stories here
1) Dest selfishly harming the #USMNT by not being able to keep it together
2) Ream being a leader pic.twitter.com/V3L23IxpSo
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 21, 2023

Gross from Dest. Inexcusable.

Blowing kisses to the ref????

Really?! #USMNT
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) November 21, 2023

He will get eaten alive by CONMEBOL teams as they now know he will lose his mind over nothing. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/0rQQSGoWkw
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) November 21, 2023

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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