The USMNT is set to face off against Jamaica on Saturday in the UEFA Nations League Gold Cup game. Unfortunately, they will seemingly do so without two key players after significant suspensions were issued by CONCACAF.
This decision was made after an incident in their Nations League semifinal victory over Mexico. Both Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest were issued red cards in that game, which has ultimately led to this suspension.
USMNT insider Michele Giannone revealed on social media Friday that McKinner has been issued a three-match suspension, while Dest will be suspended for two games.
Giannone also posted a statement from CONCACAF on this decision, adding that two Mexico players have also been dealt suspensions. Mexico’s Cesar Montes will serve a three-match suspension and Gerardo Arteaga will serve a two-game suspension.
According to The Athletic, The Gold Cup match on Saturday will count as part of both McKennie’s Dest’s suspension, meaning that they will not be available in the game.
Many around the sports world took notice of this news and believe this could spell disaster for the United States.
https://twitter.com/ValenciaJahir10/status/1672363673338413056
This is obviously not great for the prospects of the USMNT in their game against Jamaica on Saturday, but they certainly still have a chance to come away with the win without these two players. Both McKennie and Dest were unavailable due to the semifinal red cards, and the U.S. went on to win the Nations League final by defeating Canada 2-0 last week.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.