Despite the full-back depth, Dest’s injury threatens the USMNT’s World Cup hopes

On the list of important players on the US Men’s National Team, there are few players who rank higher than PSV Eindhoven defender Serginho Dest.

Milan player Christian Pulisic is acting spontaneously, given what he means to the American attack. The same goes for Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, given his importance to how the team defends. Weston McKennie, given his current form, also falls into this category, regardless of where he plays.

But Dest is the USMNT’s ultimate attacking player, and the sight of him going down with a hamstring injury in PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar on Saturday was worrying to say the least. Pain was etched on his face when he collapsed in the 55th minute, clutching his left leg. He had to be assisted from the field by two members of PSV’s coaching staff, and was only able to place a minimal amount of weight on his leg.

There is of course a chance that Dest will recover in time before the World Cup. On Instagram, Dest was definitely putting on a brave face, saying: “I’m going out for a while to do what I love most! But one thing is for sure this is not the end of the season! I will do everything in my power to make sure I will be back as soon as possible at the right timing! Thanks for the messages you guys won’t let down!”

But hamstring ailments are very difficult injuries to recover from. Setbacks are common, and it is by no means guaranteed that he will return to fitness in time to suit up for the USMNT in their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 11.

If Dest cannot return, his loss will be profound, given his tendency to deliver the unexpected. His ability to beat opponents through dribbling adds an element of surprise to the player given that he is ostensibly listed as a defender, as does the timing of his runs. He also has the ability to cut inside and fire a shot with his left foot.

It doesn’t take much scrutiny with the mind’s eye to remember just how devastating his forays into the attacking third can be. There was the vital goal he scored against Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier on home soil, where he cut inside from the wing and unleashed a shot that missed nothing other than the target. Ticos“Legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas. In the group stage final against Iran at the 2022 World Cup, Dest’s perfectly timed run allowed him to head back McKennie’s pass across the penalty area for Pulisic to score the game’s only goal, enabling the United States to advance to the knockout rounds.

To be clear, Dest’s defensive shortcomings have been well documented, explaining why he is unable to start at right-back or right-back. But that kind of ability to contribute offensively is vital, whether as a starter or as a substitute. If he is not available, this is one less dynamic element the USA will have on the field, and allows teams to focus more of their attention on Pulisic when it comes to stopping the USMNT attack.

American manager Mauricio Pochettino will have some options at his disposal if Dest is unable to leave.

Alex Freeman, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, has made a quantum leap in the past year, going from breaking into the starting lineup with Orlando City to being called up frequently with the USMNT. Freeman’s ability to go forward is a bit more impressive than Dest’s, but he showed his goal-scoring ability last November, when he scored twice in a 5-1 friendly win over Uruguay.

Joe Scully is another player who might slip. While he spent most of his career with Borussia Mönchengladbach as an outside back in a four-man backline, he has played significant minutes as a wing-back this season, scoring a rare goal against FC Augsburg on 11 January.

McKennie has played at wing-back on several occasions for Juventus this season, but given the US team’s needs elsewhere, it seems unlikely he will fit in there at the World Cup.

Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of all is Marseille’s Timothy Weah.

Like McKennie, he has been a dedicated Swiss Army knife for his team this season, playing in a variety of roles, including as a wing-back. With Pochettino often preferring to play in a 3-4-2-1 formation, there was no easy place for Weah to slot into, especially given the competition at left-back. But Weah’s speed going forward is an asset the USA doesn’t have much of, and given the time the player spent there with Marseille, as well as the fact that he has World Cup experience, Dest’s injury could give Weah a chance to shine in a USMNT role.

With the March international transfer window looming, and Dest certain to be out, the positional battle looks set to be between Freeman and Weah, with the hope that either can contribute at least some of the attacking threat Dest previously provided.