USMNT: Sergino Dest decision harnesses golden era

Sergino Dest has officially declared as a U.S. international. The Ajax full-back’s decision harnesses an increasingly golden era of USMNT talent.

Clint Dempsey is probably the best American player in history. He was a journeyman Premier League player at best who never played at the highest level of the European competition. He was a decent player, but little more.

And yet, given the scarcity of genuine American talent, Dempsey is the most successful individual player in the history of U.S. soccer. But as the sport booms across the country and an increasingly quantity and quality of talent burgeons, the USMNT face a looming period of genuine and substantial ability.

Christian Pulisic is obviously the leading candidate for the developing talent in the U.S. system. Worth £60 million, having developed in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and now beginning to make his mark in the Premier League, much more so than Dempsey ever did, the winger is one of the brightest players in world football. But Pulisic is not the only one.

Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are forcing their way into regular Bundesliga minutes, when fit, Josh Sargent is starting to play consistently for Werder Bremen at just 19, while Tim Weah, also at 19, transferred for around $12 million in the summer. This is a blossoming group of players beginning to make genuine waves at the highest level of the sport.

And now there is another to join in the mix. 18-year-old Sergino Dest, who is now starting on a regular basis for Ajax, including featuring in the Champions League, a competition Dempsey never played in, has declared for the USMNT, despite substantial interest from the Netherlands, who are a higher-performing national team.

Last week, in an official statement, Dest revealed:

"“I am happy to announce that I have decided to keep playing for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Of course, it was a tough decision for me when the Dutch Men’s National Team showed their interest, but I have built up a very good feeling with Team USA over the last couple of years and I strongly believe in the plans and potential of U.S. Soccer. I am therefore dedicated to making the next 10-15 years a big success and will do my utmost to help the team play for titles.”"

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As a prospect, there are few players in world football that are as bright a prospect as Dest, irrespective of position and nationality. Dest is not only one of the most talented young USMNT players; he is one of the most talented players period. And that is very similar to Pulisic, who has long been on the radar of the top clubs across Europe, as well as Sargent, Adams and McKennie.

This is yet to translate to the international stage. Gregg Berhalter has been unable to harness the qualities of Pulisic, Adams and McKennie, while Dest has not been fully acclimated with the international team just yet. But the personnel to build a genuinely competitive team is now coming together nicely.

The USMNT talent pool still pales in comparison to even the likes of Mexico, nevermind many of the South American and European countries. But it is improving, and Dest, perhaps surprisingly, is now a part of that.

The USMNT talent is not there yet. Not close. But there is a golden generation of sorts beginning to form, with Dest set to play a crucial role.