Tim Weah's 'silly' red card cost U.S. in Panama loss - Berhalter

Tim Weah's 'silly' red card cost U.S. in Panama loss - Berhalter

ByJEFF KASSOUF

June 27, 2024, 9:39 PM

ATLANTA --  United States men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter called forward Tim Weah's costly first-half red card in a 2-1 Copa América defeat to Panama on Thursday a "silly decision," adding that he immediately apologized to his teammates.

Weah was shown a straight red card in the 18th minute after extending his hand and striking  Panama defender Roderick Miller in the back of his head in an off-ball incident. Weah was initially shown a yellow card, but it was changed to a red card by center official Iván Barton after video review.

"I think we had a good start to the game. We got the goal, it got called back. But the match-changing event is obviously the red card and it puts us in a tough spot but we expected that from them."

Folarin Balogun scored for the USMNT four minutes later, but Panama's César Blackman equalized four minutes after that. José Fajardo then scored an 83rd-minute winner for Panama to deal major blow to the United States' hopes of making it through to the quarterfinals.

"I can't fault the effort of the group, especially after going down a man," Berhalter added. "The guys dug in and we were close to coming out with a point. But it's a shame, because there was more in this game, and a silly decision by Timmy leaves us shorthanded.

"Then you have the whole thing that's going on with the referee throughout the game, and it leaves us shorthanded. So, it led to some strange circumstances for sure."

U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams defended Weah's character  after what was only the second red card of his career for club or country -- his first came with Lille in 2022.

"You never mean to get a red card, under no circumstances," Adams told Fox. "He's not that type of person. He apologized to the team.

"And respect to the rest of the team because they fought for every single ball, every single duel, every single minute. We still created chances after going down to 10 men so it shows our quality, and all to play for in the last game."

Weah's sending off means he will be suspended for the match with Uruguay, when the U.S. will likely have to win to avoid elimination.

His red card was the second-fastest from the start of the game by a USMNT player over the last 40 years and the earliest in a competitive match in that span.

Jimmy Conrad was sent off 17 minutes into a match against Honduras in a 2010 friendly.

The U.S. was dealt a further blow at half-time, with goalkeeper Matt Turner substituted and replaced by Ethan Horvath after receiving treatment for several minutes in the first half following a collision with Panama's César Blackman.

Panama's Adalberto Carrasquilla was also sent off in the 88th minute for a hard foul on Christian Pulisic in a heated finish to the match.

Information from ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.