The Tim Weah red card vs Panama in the 18th minute proved too much for Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. side in a stunning 2-1 upset that throws the USMNT’s Copa América campaign in jeopardy.
This loss is 100% on Weah’s shoulders.
In the 18th minute the Juventus player idiotically swung on Panama’s Roderick Miller off the ball. A VAR review saw Weah sent to the locker room and screw over his entire team.
Tim Weah red card vs Panama
Tim Weah receives a red card after review for this contact pic.twitter.com/phw8bSzdKR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
There's no excuse for this. Weah’s red card is 10 times worse than Sergiño Dest’s temper tantrum against Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year.
Weah doesn’t have a history of incidents like Thursday’s with it being just the second red card of his career. It could be the costliest of his entire career.
The Bush League move threw his teammates and nation under the bus as the USMNT were forced to play a man down for nearly the entire game.
This slapdash, selfish and outright moronic rush of blood is perhaps the dumbest moment from a player wearing a USMNT kit in history.
Weah’s suspension from the red card will see him miss the group stage finale against Uruguay that is now a must-win game. That isn’t enough punishment.
The USMNT announced three friendlies for the fall against the likes of Panama, Canada and New Zealand. Berhalter, if he still has a job by then, shouldn’t give Weah’s name a second look for the roster.
He let down his team and nation Thursday night and should pay the price.
Folarin Balogun provided the U.S. a lifeline with a tremendous goal in the 22nd minute.
BALOGUN PUTS USA ON TOP
10-PLAYER @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/lwsnc5Vj7j— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
The joy was shortlived as Cesar Blackman levelled four minutes later.
AND JUST LIKE THAT PANAMA TIES IT pic.twitter.com/U4uvif7UQM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
Berhalter’s side were forced to sit back for the remainder of the game and try to strike on counter attacks. The best effort fell to substitute Ricardo Pepi who couldn’t get enough power on a close-range header.
WHAT A CHANCE
Pepi can't get enough on it to put the USMNT on top pic.twitter.com/G6ANebMimg— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
The dagger came courtesy of José Fajardo in the 83rd minute with a powerful strike too hot for Ethan Horvath to handle.
PANAMA TAKES THE LEAD
José Fajardo puts Panama on top in the 83rd minute pic.twitter.com/SGTKcAuHFg— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2024
An absolute disaster. Now the U.S. face a must-win game against Uruguay on Monday to have any hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
UPDATE: Weah posted an apology on his Instagram
