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.
WOW. Weston McKennie has been given a 3-match suspension & Sergiño Dest a 2-match suspension for what happened against 🇲🇽 in the NL semifinal. In my opinion, this is extremely harsh from Concacaf.
— Michele Giannone (@MicheleG3) June 23, 2023
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.
Press release: pic.twitter.com/TMSWpPElCA
— Michele Giannone (@MicheleG3) June 23, 2023
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.
Weston McKennie is allowed to get choked in multiple USA-MEX games by multiple El Tri players… but when he gets shoved and his hands do the same thing he not only gets a red card but a three game suspension? Got it. https://t.co/D8FOkXdhlm
— Jake Fenner (@jakefenner_) June 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/ValenciaJahir10/status/1672363673338413056
CONCACAF hands down additional suspensions to the 4 players given red cards during #USMNT vs Mexico in Nations League semis, including Sergino Dest (2 games) and Weston McKennie.
Seems a bit much, in all honesty. Nothing to the Mexican federation for the chant, as of now 🙄 pic.twitter.com/FgLr5zlIXX
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 23, 2023
Concacaf suspensions, in addition to 1-game red card penalty
Cesar Montes (MEX) 3 matches
Gerardo Arteaga (MEX) 2
Weston McKennie (USA) 3
Sergiño Dest (USA) 2Applies to Gold Cup, for which McKennie & Dest weren't selected anyway.
None others involved in fracas were penalized.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) June 23, 2023
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.
