Sergiño Dest netted a goal in the new Dutch league season, helping PSV Eindhoven kick off their Eredivisie title defense with a commanding 6-1 home win against Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday. The US defender, who also scored in last week’s Johann Cruyff Shield, delivered a stunning strike into the top of the net during first-half stoppage time, putting PSV ahead 3-0 at the break.
Reuben Van Bommel, making his debut and the son of former PSV player and coach Mark Van Bommel, also scored on his first outing, followed by veteran Croatian international Ivan Perisic, who added another goal. In the second half, PSV solidified their emphatic victory, with contributions from Joey Veerman, Guus Til, and Yarek Gasiorowski, despite Sparta’s efforts to claw back.
PSV head coach Peter Boss expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Scoring six goals is fantastic, and I’m very pleased. We showed excellent offensive play, demonstrating our ability to create numerous opportunities." Meanwhile, US international Ricardo Pepi didn’t feature in the match, as the coach chose to prioritize the player’s fitness. Pepi is expected to make a return next week, having spent much of last season recovering from an ACL injury.
Even though he came back late last season, the 24-year-old missed the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the US Men’s National Team this summer. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino mentioned that opting for separate summer training programs was essential for players’ recovery and focus on the upcoming season. Dest, who has 33 appearances for the national team, hasn’t played for the US since March 2024 but is poised to be a crucial player as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Fan Take: This victory signifies not just a strong start for PSV but also highlights the potential of American players in top leagues. As Dest continues to shine, it reinforces the growing impact of the US talent pool in international soccer.
