Sergino Dest hasn’t been called up by Mauricio Pochettino to join the USMNT since March 2024. Although he returned to full fitness in September for the matches against South Korea and Japan, he was again left out of the October friendlies. Now, Alexi Lalas is questioning why he continues to be overlooked.
Pochettino announced his squad for the friendly games against Ecuador and Australia, and once again, Dest wasn’t included. According to the head coach, he had planned to call him up for the 2025 Gold Cup, but with Dest entering a new season at PSV, the workload could have been risky—especially coming off a torn ACL.
Dest is currently fit and starting matches for PSV, yet Pochettino has still opted not to include him in the camp. Meanwhile, Antonee Robinson of Fulham was called up, but didn’t feature against Ecuador or train ahead of the friendly.
Lalas is left wondering what Pochettino’s strategy is with these decisions, particularly as he works to narrow down the roster for the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Alexi Lalas Questions Pochettino’s Decision on USMNT Star Sergiño Dest
