Dest set for US debut

SHORT HILLS, N.J. — Sergino Dest’s tenure with the U.S. national team could be lengthy. Or he might cut it short.

The 18yearold defender is scheduled to start Friday night’s exhibition against Mexico in his debut for the American senior team but could switch his affiliation to the Netherlands in the future.

Eligible to play for both nations, the outside back is keeping his options open after getting playing time with Dutch power Ajax at the start of this season.

“I’m happy for this opportunity and I’m happy that I’m here right now, but I don’t know for the future yet,” he said this week at the U.S. team’s hotel.

Dest was born in Almere, Netherlands, and his mother is Dutch and his father is a SurinameseAmerican. Dest played for the U.S. at the 2017 Under17 World Cup and this year’s Under20 World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals at both tournaments.

While the Royal Dutch Football Association has contacted him about making a change, Dest decided to report to U.S. camp this week. Asked about the conversation Wednesday, he paused and smiled before answering.

“Yeah they said something to me,” he replied. “It was not the first team yet, it was with the Under23s. They want to have a meeting with me. I keep the options open for both ways.”

He would not commit to playing for the U.S. next month in CONCACAF Nations League games against Cuba and Canada. Because those are competitive matches, if he appears for the Americans he would not be able to switch to the Dutch.

“It’s about communication,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said, “and then creating an environment that they want to be in.”

There is little depth at outside back for the U.S., and the rightfooted Dest can play on both sides. DeAndre Yedlin and Tyler Adams, the top rightsided U.S. players, have seen sidelined by injuries since spring, and left back is a traditional American weak spot.