Cesar Hernandez4 Minute Read
Herculez Gomez eviscerates ‘bone-headed’ Sergino Dest
Herculez Gomez rips into Sergino Dest following his red card in the USMNT’s 2-1 defeat at Trinidad and Tobago.
The U.S. men’s national team concluded the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series versus Trinidad and Tobago with a 2-1 away loss on Monday, securing a 4-2 aggregate victory and qualifications for the 2024 Copa America.
Played at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, the game started well for the USMNT, taking a lead in the 25th minute with a goal from Antonee Robinson. Despite holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg, the match turned after fullback Sergiño Dest received back-to-back yellows and a subsequent red for arguing with the referee.
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Empowered by the man advantage, Trinidad and Tobago equalized in the 43rd minute thanks to a goal from Reon Moore. The hosts then took the lead at 2-1 as Alvin Jones scored in the 57th minute. Needing at least three more goals to win on aggregate, Trinidad and Tobago pressed forward in the final stages but fell short.
While the USMNT prepares for the Nations League semifinals in March, Trinidad and Tobago has one last chance for Copa America qualification through a single-elimination play-in match scheduled for the same month.
Manager rating (scale of 1-10)
Gregg Berhalter, 4 — Despite Dest’s unexpected red card, the manager couldn’t quickly strengthen his defense to avoid the loss. Berhalter couldn’t shift the momentum in favor of the USMNT until the final 5-10 minutes.
USMNT Player ratings (0-10; 10 = best; 5 = average)
GK Matt Turner, 5 — The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper could have performed better on both conceded goals, especially the second.
DF Sergiño Dest, 1 — Although he managed an assist and made forward runs, Dest lost his composure with unwarranted back-to-back yellows, a shocking moment from the 23-year-old.
MF Yunus Musah, 6 — Musah excelled in distribution but needs to improve on one-on-one duels.
MF Luca de la Torre, 6 — Made promising forward runs, but was not always in complete control. Being a man down didn’t help in this regard.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
DF Joe Scally, 5 — Had minimal impact following Dest’s red card.
MF Malik Tillman, 6 — Helped the USMNT secure the win with some key contributions during the final stages.
MF Lennard Maloney, NR — Entered in the 90th minute and didn’t have a significant impact.
