Ajax defender Sergino Dest is expected to make a decision on his international future this week, according to a report in Holland.
Dest turns 19 on Nov. 3 and has two caps for the United States men’s national team after a sensational career with the program’s youth club.
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But he’s also eligible to represent his birth nation of the Netherlands, and is the starting right back for its most celebrated club.
The back turned down a call-up from Gregg Berhalter last month as a cap in the CONCACAF Nations League would’ve tied him to the USMNT for the rest of his life.
It’s natural to feel that Dest would be inclined to choose the Netherlands, as Ronald Koeman’s team is firing on all cylinders and Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT has been mostly miserable against significant competition. Berhalter also played Dest at left back in both of his caps versus Mexico and Uruguay, playing Reggie Cannon at Dest’s preferred right back.
But Dest has more history with the USMNT set-up, and the Yanks could still use him at the Olympics this summer (The Netherlands have not qualified for Tokyo). They have a puncher’s chance, but the timing of the announcement seems to lean toward Koeman.
The Dutch can qualify for EURO 2020 with a draw or better against Northern Ireland, meaning Koeman could blood a number of youngsters against minnows Estonia at Ajax’s home Johan Cruyff Arena four days later.
Not to mention the report is coming out of Holland. You’d feel a whole lot better if an American outlet was reporting it, but maybe that’s just negativity following the USMNT’s recent play. The Dutch set-up has a much better history than the USMNT. There’s a lure there, and we can hope that Dest feels tied into the USMNT.
Sergiño Dest verwacht deze week nog zijn interlandkeuze naar buiten te brengen. Dat zegt de verdediger in gesprek met Andy van der Meijde in de FOX Sports-serie Bij Andy in de Auto. #AJAX #AJAche #SergiñoDest
— ajaxmuseum.NL (@ajaxmuseumNL) October 22, 2019