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Amid significant uncertainty surrounding the future of Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. men's national team must face Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals without utility fullback Sergiño Dest, who has been forced to leave the squad due to an injury concern.
Dest has been undergoing medical assessment since linking up with the USMNT earlier this week, but after further review, the team's medical personnel determined the most appropriate decision is for the 26-year-old to depart camp on Friday.
"Sergiño Dest will depart training camp tomorrow and return to PSV Eindhoven," the USMNT said in a statement. "Dest entered camp with a minor injury and following medical evaluation will be kept out of the upcoming matches as a precaution."
The exact nature of Dest's injury has not been disclosed, though PSV noted the player began experiencing discomfort during their final match before the international break against SC Cambuur last Sunday.
While the injury is classified as minor, it represents an unwelcome complication for a USMNT squad already navigating considerable uncertainty heading into its final two fixtures of the year.
How Pochettino Can Deal With Sergiño Dest Absence
Given how late it is in the international window, there are no plans to bring in a replacement for the sidelined Dest by calling up another player. The USMNT has confirmed that Pochettino will have 24 players available for the upcoming quarterfinal clash.
Fortunately for the USMNT, there are capable options already within the squad to cover for the absent Dest, who saw limited action during the September–October international window.
Pochettino has predominantly deployed the former Barcelona player as a winger in his favored 4-2-3-1 system. When shifting to a back three, Dest has been utilized as a wingback.
Alex Freeman is the frontrunner to start at right back in the matches against Haiti — a scenario that likely would have played out regardless of Dest's fitness situation.
Earlier this month, Cavan Sullivan told Sports Illustrated he hadn't done anything "substantial" yet.
Since then, he's made his USMNT debut and become the youngest player to win MLS Player of the Month.
The kid is just getting started, and whatever "substantial" means, it… pic.twitter.com/jymg70IRY4
Then there's the right wing. The upcoming fixtures appear to be the ideal stage for 17-year-old prodigy Cavan Sullivan to firmly establish himself as the USMNT's first-choice option at the position. The teenager became the youngest goalscorer in the nation's history during the last window and has been among the standout performers in MLS throughout the second half of the season.
Stoke City's Jack McGlynn, who stepped in for the injured Gio Reyna, could also see time on the right wing.
Pochettino has plenty of alternatives at his disposal, with a roster more than equipped to not only defeat Haiti, but to do so with relative ease. The gap in quality between the two sides is that pronounced.
That said, Dest becoming the third injury withdrawal from the original November roster is unwelcome news at a time when external distractions are growing louder. It is widely expected that Pochettino will depart the USMNT for Manchester United immediately following the Nations League quarterfinals, casting a significant shadow over the team's preparations.
Without Dest for what will likely be Pochettino's final two matches in charge, the USMNT is expected to overcome the Caribbean side as they chase a record fourth Concacaf Nations League title.