Cesar Hernandez November 20, 2023, 9:47 pm ET4 minute read
Herculez Gomez eviscerates “bone-headed” Sergino Dest
Herculez Gomez attacks Sergino Dest after he received a red card in the USMNT’s 2-1 loss in Trinidad and Tobago.
The United States men’s national team concluded its Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday with a 2-1 away loss, enough for a 4-2 aggregate victory and qualification for the 2024 Copa America.
The game took place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain and started promisingly for the USMNT, who took the lead in the 25th minute with a goal from Antonee Robinson. Things seemed easy considering the USA were already leading 3-0 in the first leg, but the game was turned on its head after full-back Sergiño Dest received two yellows and then a red for an altercation with the referee conceded.
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Buoyed by the man advantage, Trinidad and Tobago equalized in the 43rd minute after a goal from Reon Moore. After the break, the hosts made it 2-1 when Alvin Jones made it 1-0 in the 57th minute. Needing at least three more goals in total to win, Trinidad and Tobago pulled ahead in the closing stages but ultimately fell short.
While the USMNT will now prepare for the Nations League semifinals in March, Trinidad and Tobago has one final chance to qualify for the Copa America through a play-in single-elimination game taking place later that month.
Manager rating (scale of 1-10)
Gregg Berhalter, 4 – Although Dest’s red came as an unexpected surprise for Berhalter, the manager could not find a way to quickly strengthen his defense and avoid defeat. As his team faltered under increasing pressure, Berhalter was unable to change the momentum that remained in Trinidad and Tobago’s favor until the final five to ten minutes.
USMNT Player Ratings (0-10; 10 = best; 5 = average)
GK Matt Turner, 5 — The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper could have done better with both goals conceded, especially the second one.
DF Sergiño Dest, 1 — He deserves credit for an assist and his forward runs, but Dest completely lost his composure with unnecessary consecutive yellows. A bizarre and shocking moment from the 23-year-old who needs to be sharper and more disciplined in big moments.
DF Cameron Carter-Vickers, 6 — Some good defensive efforts, although he was questionable at times as the hosts put pressure on the USMNT backline.
DF Tim Ream, 7 — The USMNT captain worked well with Carter-Vickers and looked strong in his aerial duels.
DF Antonee Robinson, 8 – Despite a few turnovers in dangerous areas, Robinson proved to be one of the most active players of the evening. His goal in the 25th minute was the icing on the cake of a great performance.
Robinson was once again the standout US player on the night as the USMNT secured their place in the Copa America with an aggregate victory over Trinidad and Tobago.Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
MF Yunus Musah, 6 – Musah was great with his distribution, but left room for improvement in his one-on-one duels.
MF Luca de la Torre, 6 – He ran forward well, but like Musah, the midfielder didn’t always have complete control of his area of the pitch. Having to deal with being inferior obviously didn’t help in that regard.
MF Brenden Aaronson, 7 – Aaronson, one of the more energetic players, posed questions to Trinidad and Tobago early on with his dangerous shots. Furthermore, its distribution was also impressive.
MF Gio Reyna7– Reyna was a clever playmaker for the USMNT, often pulling the strings in the final third before being substituted due to Dest’s red card.
FW Ricardo Pepi, 6 – A promising partnership developed between Pepi and Balogun, but he still failed to manage a single shot in his 65 minutes.
FW Folarin Balogun, 6 – Balogun took advantage of early chances and dropped deep to get the ball, but eventually had to play more cautiously in the second half.
Substitutes (players who come on after 70 minutes do not receive a rating)
DF Joe Scally, 5 – A quiet evening for the player who could earn a lot of minutes in the not too distant future after Dest’s red.
MF Malik Tillman, 6 – It was good to finally help the USMNT catch up and win the ball back in the closing stages.
MF Lennard Maloney, NR — Was substituted in the 90th minute and couldn’t show much.