5APR

Dest's Fitness Race for the Squad Announcement

1 min read

19:23UTC

The USMNT's first-choice right back targets a return from hamstring injury with weeks to spare before the 26 May roster deadline.

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Key takeaway

Dest's return for PSV-Ajax in late April determines his World Cup availability.

Sergino Dest suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain on 7 March while at PSV Eindhoven. His return is projected between 23 April and 2 May, targeting the PSV-Ajax fixture. ¹ If fit, he remains viable for Pochettino's 26 May squad announcement in New York.

The timeline is tight but not hopeless. A grade 2 strain typically requires 6 to 8 weeks of recovery. The PSV-Ajax match falls within that window and would provide a competitive test before the roster deadline. Dest's absence from the March window contributed to the defensive fragility that produced 7 goals conceded across 2 matches .

Deep Analysis

In plain English

Sergiño Dest is the first-choice right back for the US national team. He injured his hamstring in early March. A grade 2 hamstring strain typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal. His club team, PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, expects him back for a match against Ajax in late April. If he plays that game and comes through without problems, he should be available when the national team coach announces his World Cup squad on 26 May.

Sources:NPR

Mentions:Sergiño Dest →PSV Eindhoven →Mauricio Pochettino →Pochettino →Sergino Dest →Netherlands →USMNT →World Cup →

First Reported In

Update #5 · Italy Empties Its Federation in 48 Hours

NPR· 5 Apr 2026

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