USMNT faces injury concern as Sergiño Dest departs with a limp during PSV match.
United States defender Sergiño Dest exited the match with a noticeable hamstring injury during PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie on Saturday, raising concerns about his availability for the national team’s forthcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
Dest clutched his left hamstring and cried out in discomfort while shielding his eyes after falling in his own penalty area while pursuing Alkmaar’s Wouter Goes in the second half. He was substituted in the 57th minute, leaving the pitch with the help of two medical personnel, unable to bear weight on his left leg.
“He fell to the ground after a full sprint and grabbed his hamstring. That’s typically not a good sign,” PSV coach Peter Bosz stated.
The U.S. will face Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on April 1 in preparation matches for the World Cup, which it will co-host with Mexico and Canada in June and July.
Dest, 25, has netted two goals in 37 international caps and started all four matches for the U.S. during the 2022 World Cup.
He transferred to PSV from Barcelona but was out of action for nearly 11 months due to an ACL tear sustained in April 2024, missing that year’s Copa América.
If Dest is unable to participate in the World Cup, versatile Juventus player Tim Weah — currently on loan at Marseille — may take his spot. Alex Freeman and Joe Scally are also viable alternatives.
Fellow American Ricardo Pepi scored the decisive goal for PSV from close range in the 86th minute. This marked his 10th league goal of the season and his 13th across 26 matches in all competitions.
Pepi has scored two goals in three appearances since returning from a broken arm sustained in January.
“I am very pleased that I was able to play the full 90 minutes and also scored,” Pepi remarked. “It feels great to be back and to contribute to this significant home victory.”
“Naturally, [this season] has been frustrating due to injuries, so I had to exercise patience, but I managed to get through it.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
