Sergino Dest took to Instagram to apologise after being sent off in the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago on Monday.
Dest was sent off in the first half of the 2-1 defeat, leaving his team with it all to do after an inexcusable red card.
The defender was having a solid game at the time of his dismissal, having already assisted Antonee Robinson’s opener.
The defender was dismissed with his team up a goal from that opener and, more importantly, up 4-0 on aggregate.
Dest appeared frustrated with a no-call on the other end of the field and, after a stoppage in play, hoofed the ball into the stands.
After being given a yellow card, Dest continued to yell at the referee, blowing kisses at the official before being sent off.
Dest’s teammates were noticeably angry at the defender, with Tim Ream and Matt Turner both seen yelling at the defender after his dismissal.
Also, Dest’s exit left the U.S. with plenty of hard running to do and, just moments after, the U.S. conceded a goal to make it 1-1.
After the match, Gregg Berhalter and Tim Ream blasted the defender for his behaviour.
Although, the coach said that the team will welcome Dest back after he apologised for his mistake.
Apology
“I want to apologise to my Teammates, Staff, Fans and whole nation for my behaviour,” Dest said.
“It was unacceptable, Selfish and immature I let my team down!
“It’s something I have to learn from, and it won’t happen again!”
However, Dest is the first player with an assist and a red card in the same game since he accomplished the same feat in the Nations League win over Mexico earlier this year.
Also, Dest will miss the USMNT’s next competitive match: the Nations League semifinal next spring.
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It remains to be seen if he’ll even be called up for that camp, although much can change in the months between now and then.
Meanwhile, even with the loss, the U.S. also qualified for the Copa America and will play in the tournament next summer on home soil.
