The United States suffered a shock defeat in the Copa America after Timothy Weah was shown a red card

The USA suffered a very surprising defeat at the Copa America on Friday morning (Dutch time). National coach Greg Berhalter’s team was quickly reduced to ten men due to a red card for Timothy Wee, who had attacked his direct opponent, and eventually lost 1–2 to Panama. Because of the loss, the U.S. faces an important matchup in the finals against tournament favorites Uruguay.

On the Panama side, national coach Thomas Christiansen opted for a 5-4-1 with Eduardo Guerrero as the only attacking player. In America, (former) Premier League players Luca de la Torre, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi have no place for Berhalder in the starting line-up. The latter saw Berhalder support Fowler’s Balogun, who was flanked by Christian Pulisic and Weah.

Panama gave USA a warning after a minute of play. A deep ball from Roderick Miller ended up with Guerrero, who headed the ball to the far post. Anthony Robinson made an incredible clearance, giving Yoel Barcenas the chance to make a brilliant bicycle kick. Matt Turner saw the effort fly over his target.

In a tense opening phase, the US looked to take an early lead. A cross from Pulisic ended up on the penalty spot, where Chris Richards saw his header roll off the crossbar and post. Weston McKenney shot the ball against the ropes after a clever tap from Tim Ream, but the Juventus midfielder saw his goal disallowed due to Ream’s offside.

???????????? ???????????? Ingenuità clamorosa del centrocampista utilisante e della Juventus Timothy #Weeh che viene espulso dopo solo 18 minutes leaving i suoi #StatiUniti In lower numbers????? ??? @fraletizia #CopaAmerica #Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/FAT0PY6XXV

— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) June 27, 2024

The next setback soon followed for the American, Weh directly hitting opponent Miller in the back of the head. Referee Evan Barton initially gave Weah a yellow card, but the VAR screen was called and it took seconds to reach the verdict: instant red. However, the US managed to take the lead within minutes. Robinson applied excellent pressure and connected with Balogun, who shot beautifully to the inside of the post: 0-1.

Balogun anoda this collazo para EEUU ???? que gana a Panama por 1-0
pic.twitter.com/HiyDpegx7f

— TERADEPORTES (@Teradeportes) June 27, 2024

And with a man on the field, Panama were able to organize things quickly. Adalberto Carrasquilla brought the ball to Cesar Blackman, who had his first shot saved by Robinson. Blackman got a second chance at filming, and this time it worked. The center back slides past Turner into the far corner with a low slide: 1-1. It was the Slovan Bratislava wing defender’s first goal for Panama.

Colazu de Panama. Hoi ha cito el dia de las Buenos Aires. Mbate de Panama con Cole de Blackman pic.twitter.com/T9IIBUCetq

— TERADEPORTES (@Teradeportes) June 27, 2024

Panama held the initiative for the remainder of the first half, but this did not result in any major chances. After the break, there was a slight change in the picture of the game. A disastrous shot from Edgardo Farina kept the USA on the offensive against Panama’s eleven. Ethan Horvath, who replaced Turner with a right shoulder injury, did his best to block the centre-back’s effort at half-time.

Barton pointed to the spot after just over an hour of play when Cameron Carter-Vickers fouled Fajardo. At least, that’s what Barton thought, after a VAR check concluded that Fajardo had been dropped too easily: no penalty. After Balogun shot wide from a difficult angle, Pepy crossed the line for him. The PSV player could do little and Panama took the lead with ten minutes to go.

A shot from Barcenas was initially saved by Ream, but that didn’t mean the danger was over. Carrasquilla brought the ball into the box with great feeling, where Michael Murillo kept the ball in the hands of the Panamanian. Abdiel Ayrsa brings the ball sharply to Bajardo.

Los extranjeros de la U. Católica dejan huella en la Copa América 2024, this time the Panamanian José Fajardo scored the goal of the triumph of his selection over the Dueña de casa USA. Air Fu el Arcuero Rafael Romo, Figura en el Trinfo de Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/SBLg60mFrg

— TERADEPORTES (@Teradeportes) June 28, 2024

At 2-1, Carrasquilla was still crucial when he crossed the line just before the end. The U.S. quickly took a free kick and Pulisic raced toward the Panamanian goal. Carrasquilla gave Pulisic a hard kick from behind and was made to pay with a straight red card. Ten against ten, America still had a big chance. Pulisic heads a free kick past Chris Richards.

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