ATLANTA — The United States men's national team lost 2-1 to Panama on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, putting its hopes of advancing in the Copa América in doubt.
Tim Weah was sent off in the 18th minute after video referees converted his yellow card into a red card. Weah slammed his hand into the back of Panama defender Roderick Miller's head in an off-the-ball incident, changing the dynamic of a match that the U.S. team was expected to win.
Folarin Balogun scored a spectacular goal four minutes after Weah was sent off to put the Americans ahead, but the lead only lasted four minutes. Cesar Blackman broke free and scored the equalizer in the 22nd minute, when three American defenders failed to get close to the ball. Jose Fajardo got on the end of the ball in the 83rd minute to score the winner for Panama.
The USMNT must now look for a result against favored Uruguay in Monday's group final to qualify for the knockout stage.
Manager rating (scale 1-10; 10 = best)
Gregg Berhalter, 6 years old– An unusual game for a coach in which he has to react to an early red card and decide whether to change things immediately (in the 18th minute) or hold on with the personnel he has. Berhalter waited until halftime to make changes and adopted a 5-3-1 formation to try to hold on to the point and keep Team USA's tournament hopes alive. In the end, it didn't work.
Player Ratings (1-10; players introduced after 70 minutes do not earn a rating)
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, 6 — His defensive line shut him down and let him down on the goal he conceded, and he obviously played through pain in the first half if he had to come off at halftime. There were no saves on a frustrating day for the USMNT.
Defender Antonee Robinson, 5 years — His great pressing and great running to win the ball led to an assist on the United States national team's goal. He was caught off guard a couple of times and had some questionable turnovers, and made an unforced error to give the ball back to Panama to possess for what soon became the game-winning goal.
Defenseman Tim Ream, 5 — He was unable to close down Blackman in goal and lost form a couple of times, even when the United States opted for a back five.
Defenseman Chris Richards, 4 — Another game with too many turnovers, especially when there was not much pressure, including a couple early on that caused problems for Ream and Turner. He was slow to get to Blackman and twisted his body as the shot went in. He looked unsure on the ball for the second game in a row. He picked up a yellow card in an altercation to make matters worse.
Defenseman Joe Scally, 5 — He was beaten on the blindside at the end of the first half, but was not punished. He made a significant shift to cover ground on the right flank with the United States reduced to 10, especially when he was tasked with moving up and down in unusual transitions in the second half as the United States prepared for the equalizer.
MF Tyler Adams, 6 years old — Limited influence in a game that never allowed for much joy in the midfield as the USMNT had to chase Panama.
MF Weston McKennie, 6 years old He almost scored a good opening goal but had it ruled out for offside by Ream. He got on the end of another set-piece before the break but couldn't finish. He did solid work in midfield for 90 minutes and came close to providing a late assist in a fine run.
MF Giovanni Reyna, 6 years old — A quiet 45 minutes that were largely dictated by the red card. He played the quick free kick to Christian Pulisic in the 40th minute that might have merited a look from VAR, and Reyna stopped a counterattack in first-half stoppage time after a Robinson ball to no-one.
Forward Christian Pulisic, 7 years old — In the first set pieces, he was excellent and tried to carry the ball alone after the red card to Weah to encourage his team. He almost made something out of nothing a couple of times in the second half.
FW Folarin Balogun, 8 — He scored one of the most beautiful and precise goals seen in the tournament, moments after his team was reduced to 10. His shot hit the crossbar just before half-time in another attempt that was still called for offside. , but he showed how he managed to get behind despite his team's numerical disadvantage. You can't ask for more from a forward who plays alone up front and with one less man.
Freelancer Timothy Weah, 2 — He fell for the old Concacaf trick of reacting to an opponent and reduced his team to 10 players for more than 70 minutes. The damage is compounded by the fact that he will now miss a crucial group stage final against Uruguay. The result was worse than any play on the field could have been.
Substitutes
Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, 6 — He made a solid save six minutes into the action, in a rare game in which a goalkeeper replacement was required. No goalkeeper was expected to save the winner as Panama scored from close range.
Defenseman Cameron Carter-Vickers, 4 — He came on at half-time as a central defender in the line of five and twice got into dangerous situations inside the area. Video refereeing saved him from committing a costly penalty. He missed inside the box on Panama's last-minute game-winning goal.
MF Johnny Cardoso, 6 — He performed the grueling task of playing the role of holding midfielder in a 5-3-1, with one man down. He did well enough to protect the backline and chase balls laterally considering the odds were against him.
Forward Ricardo Pepi, NR — He came on in the 72nd minute and almost found the go-ahead goal nine minutes later, but couldn't get any power on his open header inside the six-yard box.
Lieutenant General Josh Sargent of the People's Republic of Norway He came on after the Panama winner in the opening minutes with USMNT this year, which is a positive.
