2024 is set to be a crucial year for the U.S. Men's National Team. In June, it will host and participate in the Copa America — South America's prestigious continental championship — to make a deep run against top teams such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay.
The USMNT may have to compete in the Copa without one of its best players. American fullback Sergiño Dest suffered a knee injury Saturday while training with Ajax in the Netherlands.
The full extent of Dest's injury is unclear, but Ajax has described it as "serious" and expects him to miss the rest of the Dutch season.
SERGINO DEST's Copa America participation is in doubt after he sustained what PSV term a "serious knee injury" Saturday. Local media report Dest won't play again this season.
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 21, 2024
Sending courage & positive vibes to the human highlight reel, hoping it's not as bad as feared. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zWhri1nDp0
If Dest's injury is as bad as it appears, the USMNT must replace him at the Copa. Here are coach Greg Berhalter's most likely backfills for Dest:
Joe Scally, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Scally deputized for a suspended Dest last March in the USMNT's 3-1 Nations League semifinal win over Jamaica. He's a capable offensive player with deep European experience, but he's inconsistent with the USMNT and doesn't provide enough defensive cover. It was Scally's error that led to Jamaica's early goal in that semifinal, and Berhalter wound up subbing him off early when it became clear that Scally was out of his depth.
THE REGGAE BOYZ STUN THE U.S. JUST 30 SECONDS IN! pic.twitter.com/7nPFhuxZO5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 21, 2024
John Brooks, Hoffenheim
Longtime USMNT fans may remember Brooks from the 2014 World Cup. He scored an unlikely goal against Ghana to deliver a 2-1 win in the team's opening game. While then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann saw a lot of value in Brooks's play, Berhalter hasn't been so positive, and he's left him out of all of his key USMNT squads since his appointment in 2018.
Brooks has had a great season in Germany and looks to be in the form of his career--is now the time for him and Berhalter to come together?
GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLL USA! John Brooks puts USA up, 2-1, in 86th minute on the header. 1st U.S. World Cup goal EVER by a substitute. #GHAvsUSA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2014
DeAndre Yedlin, FC Cincinnati
Yedlin may not be the USMNT's top choice on the right side of defense, but he's certainly a reliable one. He's gone to two World Cups in that position and brings buckets of top-level experience to the role.
Yedlin played alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami last season and was a key part of the team's Leagues Cup victory; these days, he's a crucial puzzle piece and Supporters' Shield-winning FC Cincinnati. Yedlin isn't the flashiest choice to replace Dest, but he'd get the job done well.
Lionel Messi made sure DeAndre Yedlin was front and centre again pic.twitter.com/ZdIWMbyS7O
— GOAL (@goal) August 31, 2023
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