Sergiño Dest joins the list of USMNT World Cup concerns
The PSV Eindhoven defender left the field in tears after aggravating his hamstring injury three months before the World Cup.
The confirmation that Rodrygo Goes will miss the World Cup due to a torn meniscus has ushered in the phase that terrifies every player and fan: injuries that shatter the dream of participating in the most prestigious tournament in football.
The blow is even more painful when it affects the host nation, as is the case with the United States, one of the three hosts of the 2026 tournament. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are already handling their captain, Christian Pulisic, with extreme caution, given his importance as the orchestrator of the American attack.
However, beyond the careful management of the AC Milan forward, there is another concern: the temporary absence of key defender Sergiño Dest.
Medical Update Sergiño Dest ℹ️
— PSV (@PSV) March 8, 2026
PSV will be without Sergiño Dest for the coming period, medical examinations confirmed on Sunday. The 25-year-old defender was forced off during the home win against AZ with an upper leg injury.
It is still difficult to predict exactly how long… pic.twitter.com/LFh2b2BoJr
“I’m taking a break from doing what I love most for a while”
On Saturday, 7 March, the Eredivisie schedule featured a clash between PSV and AZ Alkmaar for Matchday 26 of the Dutch league season. The home side ensured that the three points stayed at the Philips Stadion.
Although the decisive moment of the 2–1 victory did not arrive until the second half, when Ricardo Pepi sealed the win with a right-footed finish, the atmosphere inside the stadium had already shifted earlier in the match. After falling behind in the 13th minute, PSV supporters also witnessed Dest leave the pitch in tears and with visible difficulty, limping on his left leg and needing assistance from two medical staff members.
“He fell to the ground after a full-speed sprint and grabbed his hamstring,” Eindhoven manager Peter Bosz explained after the match, referring to the incident that led to the injury.
The moment came in the 56th minute. The former Barcelona player had entered his own penalty area while chasing Wouter Goes, who was lurking near the penalty spot. Dest went down awkwardly during the play and aggravated the tendon in his left leg.
The twenty-something defender left the pitch devastated, but hours later he used his Instagram account to deliver a clear and determined message: “One thing is for sure, this is NOT the end of the season! I will do everything in my power to make sure I return as soon as possible, at the right time!”
The United States are scheduled to face Belgium on 28 March and Portugal on 1 April in preparation matches ahead of the World Cup.
With the likely absence of the right-back, who has scored two goals in 37 appearances for the USMNT, two replacements from European clubs are emerging as potential options: Alex Freeman, a recent arrival at Villarreal, and Joe Scally of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Beyond being viable alternatives for Pochettino, both players also made their presence felt in the comments on Dest’s post, showing support for one of the United States national team’s top defenders.
Related stories
Double relief for Jardine and América
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment