The United States men's national soccer team, down a man after Timothy Weah's early red card in the first half, was unable to hold off constant pressure Thursday from Panama, which cruised to a 2-1 victory in a match of the group stage of the Copa América.
The USMNT was looking for another win in the group stage after defeating Bolivia on Sunday. A victory for the United States would have rendered Monday's matchup against Uruguay meaningless because six points would have advanced the United States to the knockout stage.
The match against Panama got interesting, and it started with Weah.
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Tim Weah of the USA reacts after being sent off during a Copa América USA 2024 Group C match against Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Héctor Vivas/Getty Images)
The veteran American forward received a red card in the 18th minute after pushing a Panamanian player in the back of the head, resulting in an automatic ejection.
Although he initially received a yellow card, a referee removed the yellow and gave him the red when Weah was already leaving the field. From that point on, the U.S. national team was down a player and Panama took advantage.
USMNT TIMOTHY WEAH RECEIVED A RED CARD AFTER HITTING A PANAMA PLAYER IN THE HEAD
The United States got on the scoreboard first when Folarin Balogun scored his second goal of this Copa América with a left boot off the right post in the 22nd minute. But Panama responded four minutes later, when César Blackman scored the first international goal of his career with a left-footed shot that went beyond the reach of goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Turner finally sat on the bench for the United States national team after a nasty first-half collision left him with a leg injury. Turner finished the first half, but Ethan Horvath replaced him in the second.
Panama players celebrate after winning a Copa América USA 2024 Group C match against the United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Panama used its one-man advantage to send a constant attack to the U.S. Defense was key and the U.S. switched to a five-man defense with three midfielders and a forward. But Panama finally managed to break through with some patience in the 83rd minute.
After Ricardo Pepi failed to convert a Weston McKennie cross a minute earlier to give the United States the lead, Panama's José Fajardo redirected a pinball cross past Horvath, and the Panama bench entered the field to celebrate the goal .
As the U.S. went into desperation mode, the game turned ugly. Panamanian Adalberto Carrasquilla was given a red card after sweeping Christian Pulisic's legs, leading to a minor scuffle.
With the teams tied with 10 players, the United States had some set pieces, but could not finish.
Weston McKennie of the USA appears dejected after losing a Copa America USA 2024 Group C match against Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta. (Héctor Vivas/Getty Images)
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When the final whistle sounded, Panama had won its third match against the United States in its history.
The United States now heads into Monday's match against 15-time Copa America winner Uruguay needing a win to advance out of the group stage.
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