Shame to see him go, but he did grow up Dutch and their national team is orders of magnitude more prestigious than the US and comes with the bonus of not having to fly across the ocean every time there is a game. Not a shocker, but very disappointing as he is an excellent player that we will miss greatly.
Yeah, but if he really has turned down this call, it basically means he'd rather wait for the Dutch team. Unless they somehow decide they don't want him after all, which I wouldn't see as likely since they made the push to talk to him, he's theirs. Of course, we haven't seen anything official so maybe not quite time to panic yet.
Well, if it's because he would have declined, I hope he is never asked again. It's one thing to hesitate before you play for a senior national team. It's another thing to hesitate after you play for a senior national team. He may ultimately decide that he loves the USMNT more than life itself, but as a manager, would I risk my job on whether his teammates will ever believe that? I don't think so. I'd love to have a talented player like Nagbe in the USMNT, but I wouldn't ask him again either for the same reason.
It's an interesting insight though. One wishes we had more legitimacy as a footballing nation in the year 2019, but there you have it: the kid would rather have a small chance at playing for the Dutch than a certainty of playing for the US. I'm sure Berhalter will come out and say all the right things about not pressuring the kid, this and that, but when it comes down to it, Dest has no allegiance to the States if he truly did turn down the call. Kid should never again wear the crest. I bear no ill will, but to me it disqualifies a player from a future call up.
I'm afraid our opinions will the the minority on this but I agree 100 percent. If he has turned us down this time in order to wait on the Dutch, then I never want to see him play for us again.
This is not the robotics team. I don't give a damn how smart he is. I care how committed he is. Commitment is what will get us through CONCACAF qualifying.
I can understand this viewpoint, but can’t imagine the feel of a dual national in this position. What we have heard many say over the years is whoever comes first, so that is clearly not the case with him.
They didnot. It's the policy now to have a talk with all dual nationals playing in the Netherlands they see as good enough to be a candidate in the future for the Orange team at an age they could be selected for the other national team or when the other national team is pushing for capping match. This policy came about after a fall out in the press and fans of the Orange team after high profile players opted for the Moroccan Nat team instead of the Orange squad. Someone called the talk of the KNVB that I posted a lukewarm pitch, which it was. It doesnot qualify as pushing. As you can read in the translated comment by the KNVB official they told Dest they think he can become a player good enough for the Orange team and then put on the table a list and said: "and these are too. These will be your competitors for that spot." Dunno how you can qualify that as pushing.
"For years, Sergiño Dest played for U.S. junior national teams, and last month, the 18-year-old defender made his senior debut. But because he is a dual national, eligible for both the United States and Netherlands, Dest is keeping his options open. .... “I’ve had conversations with Sergiño,” Berhalter said in a statement issued Wednesday by the U.S. Soccer Federation. “The conversations were positive, and the content of these conversations is going to remain private.'” https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...back-rising-ajax-defender-turns-down-call-up/
Well, they could have chosen to feel he's already played for someone else and isn't important enough that they care about him playing for them. They showed him they care and let him know he has a real chance with them. Just those little efforts can make a difference for a player, whether you call it pushing or just being conscientious.
I'd rather him say whoever is first than what he has done, which is play for us at youth and senior levels then put us on hold when his favored team shows some interest.
Respectfully disagree. The commitment that matters is what happens once they've officially joined a team. What you've stated is what fans of professional teams say (although I acknowledge that national team play isn't identical to club). When players hold out, their teammates don't usually begrudge them - I don't think our players would care either.
As I said, Berhalter is going to say all the right things, but as an American who would bleed for our country if asked, personally I find the waffling offensive. He have every right to keep his options open, but we should never call up someone who has turned down the honor of wearing the shirt in a game that counts.
I guess I'm less concerned/upset at Dest than most. He's young and his career has exploded over the last few months. I think it's reasonable to delay a decision, let some dust settle, then make up your mind after the media cycle has moved on. I don't necessarily see this as a lack of loyalty as much as a young dude who's conflicted and is getting talked at from both sides at the same time. I think there's a chance he still opts for the US (based off nothing I'd say it's around 40%) and I personally would still welcome him into the system.
Nah, this is pro sports. I don't care about emotion as long as he's committed on the pitch. Deon Sanders won back-to-back Superbowls on different teams. Tevez was an itinerant, "have gun will travel" striker for years... Dest's mates will only care what he puts in the field.
Sure, when it suits him and the Dutch have moved on to new p---y again. We'll be Dest's fallback team? You're good with that?
They do care. It's part of what led to the fracture within the squad under JK. There were those who were pissed that guys who declined call-ups (Chandler) or showed a lack of what they considered emotion/commitment (Johnson) were in the squad. It's why neither player will be brought back in, even though Lovitz is not half the player either of them are.
I'd ask guys who I respect: McBride, Donovan, Beasley, how they'd feel in this situation. If those guys are good with it, then I'd have to change my mind.