When Zack Steffen left the U.S. males’s nationwide crew’s pre-Gold Cup camp on Wednesday because of a knee injury, it appeared the American roster for the regional championship was set. The veteran goalkeeper’s departure decreased Mauricio Pochettino’s crew to 26 gamers — the identical quantity within the closing squad U.S. Soccer was required to undergo Concacaf later within the day.
Apparently not. On Thursday morning, the USMNT introduced that 24-year-old star proper again Sergino Dest — a 2022 World Cup starter who has already performed for elite European groups Ajax, Barcelona, AC Milan and present membership PSV Eindhoven — may also miss the event, which the Individuals kick off subsequent weekend in opposition to Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, California.
Dest returned to the sector for PSV in March after lacking virtually a 12 months with a torn ACL. He appeared in seven matches, 5 of them begins, and went all 90 minutes within the Eredivise finale on Could 18. In an announcement, Pochettino mentioned Dest’s well being can be greatest served by sitting out the Gold Cup. He was changed by left again John Tolkin.
“The technical, medical and excessive efficiency workers have carried out a sequence of evaluations this week on all of the gamers in camp, and within the case of Sergiño we decided the most effective determination is for the participant to have an individualized coaching program for the summer time so he can give attention to being totally recovered and able to carry out subsequent season,” Pochettino mentioned.
Dest joins a laundry listing of U.S. regulars who’re out this summer time. Christian Pulisic, exhausted after taking part in 100 aggressive video games for Milan during the last two seasons and with an eye fixed on the all-important 2026 World Cup, requested for and was granted a break. Antonee Robinson simply underwent knee surgical procedure. Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah are taking part within the Membership World Cup as an alternative. First selection strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are damage.
Given Dest’s lengthy absence — he hasn’t performed for his nation since March 2024 — seeing him in motion underneath Pochettino for the primary time was imagined to be one of many few remaining silver linings this summer time.
On Tuesday, U.S.keeper Matt Turner raved in regards to the significance of getting Dest again in camp.
“Serg is superior,” Turner mentioned. “He is such a enjoyable man, a enjoyable teammate to play with. It is nice to see him out taking part in once more. In tranining he is wanting good. His toes are pretty much as good as ever.
“He positively appears to have matured via this harm,” Turner added. “I’m simply tremendous completely satisfied to have him again and concerned with the crew.”
Now that reunion is on maintain for not less than one other few months.
The ultimate Gold Cup squad is as follows. Groups can substitute an injured participant as much as 24 hours earlier than their opening match.
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, New York City FC (MLS); Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew (MLS); Matt Turner, Crystal Palace (England)
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Columbus; Alex Freeman, Orlando (MLS); Nathan Harriel, Philadelphia Union (MLS); Mark McKenzie, Toulouse (France); Tim Ream, Charlotte (MLS); Chris Richards, Crystal Palace; Miles Robinson, Cincinnati (MLS); John Tolkin, Holstein Kiel (Germany); Walker Zimmerman, Nashville (MLS)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Leeds (England); Tyler Adams, Bournemouth (England): Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver (MLS); Johnny Cardoso, Actual Betis (Spain); Luca de la Torre, San Diego (MLS); Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake (MLS); Jack McGlynn, Houston Dynamo (MLS); Quinn Sullivan, Philadelphia Union (MLS); Malik Tillman, PSV
Forwards: Paxten Aaronson, Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany); Patrick Agyemang, Charlotte (MLS); Damion Downs, Cologne (Germany); Brian White, Vancouver; Haji Wright, Coventry (England)
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has coated United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Observe him @ByDougMcIntyre.
Get extra from Gold Cup Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
