Before Dest, right back was a major Achilles heel for USMNT. Yedlin was the closest to having the speed required for the position, but occasionally has some real lapses. Dest locking down that position cut down on goals on that side, but was a major contributor to the possession game, as well as how he could recognize opportunities for getting into the attack. All that is hard to replace. I’m not saying he’s a world all-star, but he did take that position from being one of weakness to taking it off the list of worries for the coach. That itself made the team better.