Sergino Dest celebrates with PSVGetty Images

A huge step for PSV! USMNT star Sergino Dest starts as Dutch side pick up massive Champions League win over Lens

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  • Dest starts for PSV
  • Pepi and Tillman come off bench
  • PSV pick up huge win

Led by a goal from Luuk de Jong, PSV took down Lens, 1-0, to earn three crucial points in the fourth game of the Champions League group stage. Dest started the match at left-back, continuing to play a key part for the Dutch side.

His U.S. men's national team teammates, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi, were named to the bench, with both coming on in the second half of the big win.

  • Sergino Dest PSV under pressureGetty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    PSV took the lead early and never looked back, seizing a crucial Champions League win in the process.

    The goal came in the 12th minute with De Jong providing a trademark header on a cross from Johan Bakayoko. De Jong's finish was his second in the competition as he continues to hold off Pepi for starting minutes.

    Dest was the lone starter of the USMNT contingent, as he once again featured as an inverted left-back playing behind Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano. Tillman, meanwhile, came in midway through the second half, replacing Guus Til, while Pepi joined the fray as a 90th-minute sub to help kill the game.

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  • Luuk de Jong PSV 2023-24Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    With the win, PSV have given themselves a chance at escaping from a competitive Group B.

    As things stand, they sit second in the group on five points, four points behind leaders Arsenal. They're level with Lens, with Sevilla bottom on just two points after these four matches.

    PSV will still need to visit Sevilla before hosting Arsenal in their final two games, but the Dutch side do have their fate in their hands after four massive Champions League matches.

  • Ricardo Pepi USMNTGetty

    USMNT IMPACT

    Not much has changed for the USMNT contingent, with all three having pretty defined spots in the hierarchy at this point.

    Dest has the flexibility to play on either the left or the right and has gotten games on both sides this year. Tillman is very much in the mix to start as an attacking midfielder, even if he didn't in this one. Pepi, meanwhile, is very much a backup for this team, having not gotten many minutes in recent weeks.

    Pepi's situation will be the most concerning, as it'll take either an injury to De Jong or a huge downswing in form from the striker for the American to get minutes. Pepi will have to make the most out of whatever chances he gets, as he is currently second choice for both club and country.

  • Malik Tillman PSV comes onGetty Images

    GOAL'S RATINGS

    Sergino Dest (6/10):

    Had a few okay moments and was better than usual defensively, but he just never feels quite as effective when played on the left-hand side.

    Malik Tillman (6/10):

    Didn't get too many chances to make things happen after coming on, with PSV relatively content to protect their 1-0 advantage.

    Ricardo Pepi (N/A):

    Didn't get into the match until the 90th minute as Peter Bosz didn't rock the boat with subs until it was time-wasting time.

  • Dest PSV Champions League 2023Getty

    WHAT COMES NEXT?

    PSV will play one more match before the start of the international break. Currently atop the Eredivisie, they'll look to build on their lead when they host PEC Zwolle on Sunday.