Sergiño Dest Sidelined for USMNT's Nations League Quarterfinals Against Haiti
USMNT defender Sergiño Dest will miss the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches due to a minor injury, marking the third withdrawal from Mauricio Pochettino's squad.
⚽Soccer in the USPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- Sergiño Dest is returning to PSV Eindhoven after a medical evaluation flagged a minor injury.
- Dest is the third player to withdraw from the current USMNT camp, joining Gio Reyna and George Campbell.
- The U.S. faces Haiti in a two-leg quarterfinal on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17 for a spot in the Nations League semifinals and the 2027 Gold Cup.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will be without veteran defender Sergiño Dest for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, as the 26-year-old becomes the third player to withdraw from the current camp due to injury. U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday that Dest will return to his club, PSV Eindhoven, as a precaution following a medical evaluation of a minor injury.
Dest’s absence is a significant blow to head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s defensive depth. The two-time World Cup starter provides versatility on both flanks, and his departure follows the earlier withdrawals of Gio Reyna and George Campbell. To fill the void, the U.S. roster still features four fullbacks, including veterans Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman, alongside Bryan Reynolds and potential debutant Reed Baker-Whiting from Nashville SC.
Tactically, the loss of Dest may force Pochettino to move away from the hybrid defensive setups seen in previous international windows. The current squad composition suggests a shift toward a traditional four-man back line, supported by a strong contingent of wingers like Christian Pulisic and youngsters Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert. Chris Richards is expected to lead the central defense alongside options like Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie.
The two-leg series against Haiti begins on November 14 at Nu Stadium in Miami, with the return leg scheduled for November 17 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The stakes are high for the American squad, as the winner secures a spot in the 2027 Gold Cup and advances to the Nations League semifinals scheduled for March at SoFi Stadium.
What to watch next: The USMNT takes the field in Miami on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. ET for the opening leg against Haiti.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7776259/2026/11/12/sergino-dest-injury-usmnt-n… ↗
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