United States' Copa America Hopes Dashed as Tim Weah's Red Card Leads to Defeat Against Panama

With an atrocious punch from Tim Weah, the United States' hopes of progressing in the Copa America were severely damaged.

Panama defeated the shorthanded Americans 2-1 on Thursday night thanks to a goal from backup goalkeeper José Fajardo in the 83rd minute. The loss puts the host nation in danger of being eliminated if it doesn't defeat Uruguay in its first-round matchup.

With Weah sent off in the eighteenth minute, the United States was down a player for the majority of the match.

"You never intend to be sent off. In no way, shape, or form, remarked colleague Tyler Adams. "He expressed regret to the team."

Weah apologized in public on social media.

He stated, "I let my team and my country down." "I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, family, and our fans for the irreversible consequences that resulted from a moment of frustration."

Iván Barton, the Salvadoran referee, gave Weah a straight red card and sent him out for hitting Roderick Miller in the back of the head.

"A foolish, foolish choice made by Timmy that leaves us lacking personnel," head coach Gregg Berhalter declared.

The U.S. took the lead with Folarin Balogun in the 22nd minute, but César Blackman equalized the score in the 26th.

After halftime, Horvath took over for the injured Matt Turner, but he was unable to stop Fajardo's close-range shot from passing through his arms, and Panama defeated the United States for just the third time in 27 encounters.

After defeating Bolivia 2-0 in their opening match, the United States takes on Uruguay, the 15-time Copa winner, on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri.

The United States has to win against Uruguay and finish with a higher goal differential than Panama if Panama wins; it can also tie Uruguay and both Panama and Bolivia draw; or it can lose to Bolivia and finish with a better goal differential than both Panama and Bolivia. Brazil is plus-seven, the United States is plus-one, and Panama is minus one.

However, losing the most important match for the Americans before the 2026 World Cup will undoubtedly make people wonder if Berhalter should be in command.

Not shortly after the last whistle, he received that same question.

In the fifth minute, Weston McKennie looked to have given the United States the lead, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Additionally, Adalberto Carrasquilla's red card in the 88th minute for knocking down Pulisic from behind meant that Panama finished one player short. In a last-ditch effort to draw the game, the United States put everyone forward, including Horvath, but Panama prevailed.

After losing to Uruguay 5-0 in the late game on Thursday night, Panama will play Bolivia to end group play in Orlando, Florida. Bolivia has lost 14 straight Copa America games.

Weah's ejection infuriated the 59,145 pro-American fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, especially after multiple other calls went against the host team. However, there was no doubt that the American player deserved to be sent off.

Goalie Orlando Mosquera blocked Chris Richards' header from Pulisic's corner kick off the crossbar, and Tim Ream was ruled offside when he poked the ball to McKennie, who scored from close to the penalty spot, according to a video review.

When Blackman collided with a jumping Turner in the 12th minute, the latter landed awkwardly on his right arm and lay down for several minutes before receiving medical attention. Blackman did not receive a penalty for the incident.

Following a careless clearance, Balogun scored. After dribbling into the penalty area, Antonee Robinson passed to the attacker. Following a tap-trade with Robinson, Balogun curled a shot from the outside of the box that went in for his fifth goal in 14 games after hitting the inside of the far post.

After receiving a ball from Carrasquilla at the arc, Blackman dribbled around Robinson and shot through Richards' knees and just over Turner's outstretched arm to equalize the score in the 26th minute.

Berhalter started the second half by making three replacements. After Horvath entered in his first game for club or country since May 4, Turner left with a bruised left leg.

Turner's condition is unknown for the upcoming game. Weah refuses to wear clothing due of the red card.

In the sixty-third minute, Cameron Carter-Vickers, another substitute, was whistled for pulling down Fajardo close to the goal, and the Americans benefited from a video review. After a video review revealed that Fajardo had already crossed the ball when Carter-Vickers made contact, the call was reversed.

With possession for an astounding 73.6% of the game and an overwhelming 13-6 advantage over the United States, there wasn't much the large crowd could do but vent their dissatisfaction at the officiating.