United States men’s national team right back Sergiño Dest scored two goals for Barcelona, his first in La Liga for the European giants, in a 6-1 rout of Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Dest scored in the 43rd and 53rd minute to become the third U.S. international to score in La Liga, Spain’s top division, joining Jozy Altidore and Yunus Musah. The win kept Barcelona within four points of league leader Atletico Madrid for the La Liga title.
Dest, 20, has five caps for the USMNT. He was selected by U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter to the roster for friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland this month.
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Dest holding down a spot at Barcelona is _____
Paul Tenorio, soccer staff writer: Expected. The 20-year-old right back was purchased from Ajax for $25 million last year, with the potential for even more add-ons based on performance. Dest was also being chased by German giants Bayern Munich. The Dutch-American defender is considered one of the best young players in the world at his position. While there have been some snags this year due to injury, Dest was brought to Barcelona to start and hold down the position for several years. So far, he's living up to those expectations and he's looked especially comfortable since playing in a wingback role. Sunday's performance was the latest example of how well Dest is settling in at Barcelona.
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Dest's future with the USMNT
Tenorio: When Dest committed to the U.S. over Holland in October 2019, he became a lockdown starter and key piece of the young core that will make up Gregg Berhalter's roster for World Cup qualifiers this fall, along with Christian Pulisic (22 years old), Weston McKennie (22), Tyler Adams (22) and Gio Reyna (18). Where Dest starts, however, is still to be determined. If the U.S. doesn't feel confident in its other options at left back — Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Colorado's Sam Vines — Dest will likely move to that side. If Robinson or Vines can win the job, Dest is the start at his natural right back spot.
(Photo: David S. Bustamante / Soccrates/Getty Images)
Dest excited about the three points and two goals:
+3! What a feeling to score my first La Liga goals! ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Bs9UkgH8h6
— Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) March 21, 2021