Sergino Dest ruled out of USMNT's March World Cup qualifiers

Sergino Dest has been ruled out of the USMNT's March World Cup qualifiers after suffering a hamstring injury during Barcelona’s Europa League clash against Galatasaray. 

The defender was forced off in the second half of a 2-1 win, visibly upset as he limped off the pitch while grabbing his hamstring.

Despite the injury, Dest was called up to USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter’s 27-player roster for the qualifiers. Barcelona, however, has since then confirmed the player will not be able to feature for the US men’s national team. 

"Tests carried out this morning on Sergino Dest have shown that he has a left biceps femoris injury. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability,” the club said in a statement.

Berhalter has called in George Bello to place Dest on the roster. The left back has made six appearances for the United States since debuting in January 2021 during an international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. 

Bello first kicked off his professional career in 2017, signing as a homegrown player for Atlanta United. The 20 year old made a lasting impression, earning himself a move to Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld at the end of January 2022. 

The US will kick off the international window on Thursday when traveling to Azteca Stadium to face rivals Mexico, before hosting Panama and facing Costa Rica. The American side currently sits in second place on the Concacaf table with 21 points in 11 games.