Dest set to start against Canada, become tied to US

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Sergiño Dest was in the starting lineup at right back for the United States in Friday night’s CONCACAF Nations League match against Canada, an appearance that will tie him to the U.S. program.

The 18-year-old defender has become a regular for Ajax this season and played in a pair of exhibitions for the U.S. in September. The son of a Surinamese-American father and Dutch mother, he played for the U.S. at the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups but was recruited this fall by the Dutch national team.

Because Nations League games are competitive matches, Dest would be unable to switch once he appears for the U.S.

Just four of the starters also were in the opening lineup for last month’s 2-0 Nations League loss to Canada in Toronto: defenders Aaron Long and Tim Ream, midfielder Weston McKennie and forward Jordan Morris. Ream shifted to left back and John Brooks started in the center, his first national team appearance since March against Ecuador.

Brad Guzan was in goal, Jackson Yueill in defensive midfield and Sebastian Lletget joined McKennie in more advanced midfield. Gyasi Zardes headed the attack, flanked by Paul Arriola and Morris.

Ream captained the U.S. for the fifth time.

The U.S. needed a win to have any chance of advancing to the Nations League semifinals.