The U.S. men's national team closed out its Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Trinidad and Tobago with a 2-1 away loss on Monday, which was enough to win 4-2 on aggregate and qualify for the 2024 Copa America.
Held at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, the game began promisingly for the USMNT, which took a lead in the 25th minute off a goal from Antonee Robinson. Things seemed straightforward given that the U.S. already led 3-0 from the first leg, but the match was then flipped on its head after fullback Sergiño Dest earned back-to-back yellows and an ensuing red due to arguing with the referee.
The one-goal defeat combined with last week's 3-0 victory over the Soca Warriors in the home-and-home series was enough to send the USMNT — who reached the Copa América semifinals in 2016, the last time 16 teams from the Americas competed — to the tournament, which kicks off next June.
Antonee "Jedi" Robinson had the lone U.S. goal Monday, with U.S. defender Sergiño Dest sent off later in the first half after collecting two yellow cards for dissent.
"We started the game pretty well I think," Robinson told the official broadcaster afterward. "Then obviously a moment of unprofessionalism kind of went against us."
Robinson in the 25th minute. The hosts made it interesting, though, capitalizing on their man-advantage with a pair of goals on either side of the break that forced the USMNT to see out a nervy finish.
It was the Yanks' fullback duo that combined for the first-half opener, as Dest set up Robinson's close-range diving header with a pinpoint delivery from the right side.
The positive start was undermined, however, when Dest was sent off in the 39th minute after picking up two yellows for dissent in quick succession. The sequence immediately preceded T&T's first goal, which was scored by forward Reon Moore in the 43rd minute to cut the aggregate lead to 4-1.
Dest will now miss the Nations League semifinal in March. Given the seriousness of Monday's transgression, will Berhalter even invite the 23-year-old to that camp at all? Asked if the suspension will factor into his decision, the coach suggested it wouldn't.
"What I don't want this to turn into is a witch hunt," Berhalter said. "He's a young player. He's a fantastic part of his team. He's going to learn, he's going to grow. He made a dumb mistake. He knows that. He apologized to the team and we move forward."
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