For years, Sergiño Dest played for U.S. junior national teams, and last month, the 18-year-old defender made his senior debut. But because he is a dual national, eligible for both the United States and Netherlands, Dest is keeping his options open.
So when U.S. Coach Gregg Berhalter invited him to upcoming matches in the Nations League, a competition that, if he stepped onto the field, would lock him into the U.S. program forever, Dest declined.
That decision was a clear setback to the rebuilding U.S. team, which sees Dest and other young players as key figures in the effort to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after missing out last year.