(Atlanta) American Tim Weah inexplicably punched an opponent, dealing a major blow to the United States’ chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
Jose Fajardo beat substitute goalie Ethan Horvath in the 83rd minutee minute to give Panama a 2-1 victory over a shorthanded Americans on Thursday in Atlanta, putting the host nation in danger of elimination.
The United States had to play almost the entire match with a man down after a Weah punch behind the head of Roderick Miller in the 18the minute which earned him a red card.
“You never intend to get a red card. Under no circumstances,” teammate Tyler Adams said. “He apologized to the team.”
Weah also issued a public apology on social media.
“I let my team and my country down,” he said. “A moment of frustration that had an irreversible consequence, and for that I am deeply sorry to my teammates, my coaches, my family and our fans.”
Folarin Balogun nevertheless gave the local favorites the lead in the 22nde minute, but Cesar Blackman replied four minutes later.
Horvath, who replaced the injured Matt Turner at halftime, watched Fajardo’s point-blank shot slip through his arms as Panama beat the United States for just the third time in 27 meetings.
“A win tonight would have put us in a great position, and unfortunately the opposite happened,” said American captain Christian Pulisic. I’m proud of the effort with which we responded after what obviously happened, but I’m really very disappointed [du résultat]. »
The United States, which opened the tournament with a win over Bolivia, will likely need to beat Uruguay on Monday in Kansas City to finish among the top two teams in Group C and clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.
Panama lost 3-1 to Uruguay and will finish the round robin against Bolivia.
Panama also ended the match one player short after Adalberto Carrasquilla received a red card in the 88the for tackling Christian Pulisic from behind. The United States threw everyone forward in a desperate attempt to level the game – including Horvath – but Panama held firm.
Uruguay mishandles Bolivia
PHOTO VINCENT CARCHIETTA, USA TODAY SPORTS
Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez scored in his seventh straight international game and Uruguay beat Bolivia 5-0 in East Rutherford to move within a spot in the quarterfinals.
Facundo Pellistri gave the Uruguayans the lead in the eighth minute and Nunez doubled the lead in the 21ste with his 10e net in his last seven outings for his country.
Maximiliano Araujo scored his second goal of the tournament in the 77thethen Federico Valverde (81e) and Rodrigo Bentancur (89e) added goals.
Uruguay, which is trying to get a 16e title in this tournament, shows a record of 2-0 with a goal differential of plus-7.
Bolivia lost a 14e consecutive match at the Copa América, his last victory dating back to 2015.
With Paul Newberry and Ronald Blum, Associated Press