World Cup Done, But USMNT Star Sergino Dest Is Just Hitting His Stride

Things couldn't be going better for Sergiño Dest right now.

The 25-year-old American has gotten off to the best club start of his career. Through just six Eredivisie matches with Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven, the first-choice fullback has already contributed two goals and two assists.

On top of that, PSV are back in the UEFA Champions League, and Dest has wasted no time making his mark there too. He played a pivotal role in a 1–1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the opening round, netting PSV's only goal of the game in the 48th minute.

To cap off an already remarkable stretch, Dest earned a call-up for the expanded September–October international window — one of only 13 USMNT players from the 2026 World Cup squad included in the two-week camp that kicked off Monday.

"Everything is just perfect at the moment," a smiling Dest tells Sports Illustrated.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino called up only half of his summer squad in a bid to breathe new life into the program. With a clear "fresh start" philosophy in mind, Dest has no reason to question his place in Pochettino's plans. He is expected to feature in at least some of the four friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada, and will serve as a key guide for several newcomers.

It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Dest, however. Even just a few months ago, he was falling short of the standards he had set for himself on the world stage. It has taken years of grinding and perseverance to reach the level he's currently enjoying.

'Consistent'—Dest's Arduous Climb to the Top

Dest was dealt a major blow when he tore his ACL during a PSV training session in May 2024. A grueling recovery process followed, stretching nearly a full year, and the challenge only grew once he was cleared to return in March 2025, as he worked to make up for all the time he had lost.

But that wouldn't be his only serious injury in recent memory. Dest suffered a significant hamstring setback a year later, this past March, which nearly cost him a spot on the USMNT's 2026 World Cup roster. He was sidelined for two months, missing both the March international camp and the final stretch of PSV's run to a third-straight Eredivisie title.

When he finally returned to action, there was no room to ease back in — the World Cup was fast approaching.

"The first couple weeks [of injury], I did two sessions a day [of recovery]," Dest said back in April. "I said to myself, 'Hey, I want to be there at the World Cup, so I have to do everything in my power to be able to come back ASAP.'

"So, that's what I did. I worked really hard, had long sessions, and now I'm here. I'm almost back. It will be a count of eight weeks in total. I saved some weeks to get myself fit and to be able to perform and be there for the national team."

Dest adds to Sports Illustrated, "You have to be really consistent."

He managed to regain sufficient fitness over the summer and was included in Pochettino's final World Cup squad. He made an immediate impact, scoring just seven minutes into his long-awaited return in a late-May friendly against Senegal — his first international goal in four and a half years.

Put on a platter by Pulisic! #USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/DOwsOe5pF6

Dest's Bumpy World Cup Road

That pre-tournament goal was all Pochettino needed to see, handing Dest a starting role at winger in four of the team's five World Cup matches this summer.

While Dest secured his place at his second World Cup — having also started in Qatar in 2022 — he acknowledged he still wasn't operating at his "best version." He was a lively presence along the right flank, putting defenders under pressure and causing disruption in wide areas, but struggled to convert that energy into clear-cut chances. He created just two opportunities throughout the tournament and managed only one shot on target, finishing the summer without a goal or assist.

"After an ACL injury, for me personally, it's on and off," he says. "Sometimes I feel at my peak again, and then I drop a little bit in terms of power and in how I feel."

That's what makes his current form all the more impressive. With a few extra months of rest, recovery and training under his belt, Dest believes he is only just beginning to tap into his full potential.

"I'm in a good headspace. I'm working toward my best version again," he says.

Dest singled out PSV's league clash against FC Utrecht last month as his standout performance of the season so far. He contributed a goal and an assist in a dominant 6–1 victory — the club's most convincing win of the campaign.

It was a performance that illustrated just how far he has come. "What I liked about my goal is that it was in the 93rd minute, so that showed people that I could still go into the last bit of the game, that I'm fit. That's why I liked that one the most," he says.

@PSV devastante 🤯

I Boeren ne fanno 6 in casa dell'#Utrecht 🇳🇱 chiude i conti Sergiño #Dest ⚽

🎙️ @solario_simone #ComoTV pic.twitter.com/XJUFxshd4k

Now, Dest is eager to carry his strong club form onto the international stage, reuniting with Pochettino and his American teammates for the first time since the World Cup concluded. The USMNT opens their fall schedule against Peru on Saturday.

"I feel like this is a great test again," Dest says about the fall window. "We play against great opponents, and the coach [Pochettino] can do his magic again."

"Obviously, I feel confident how I started the season, so yeah, I'm ready to get back," he adds. "I'm ready to see my team again."