USMNT’s brutal defeat to Panama leaves fans in shock

The United States men’s national soccer team was defeated 2-1 by Panama in a chaotic and surprising game in the second group stage match of the Copa America. The American team found itself at a disadvantage from the start of the match after winger Tim Weah was shown a straight red card after pushing Panama defender Roderick Miller in the 18th minute.

Despite being down a man, the United States managed to score an early goal through a long-range shot from striker Folarin Balogun.

After that goal, things started to go downhill for the United States.

Panama quickly equalized with a short-range goal. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who had been injured early in the first half but remained in the game, was replaced at halftime by Ethan Horvath. After withstanding a Panamanian power play for most of the game, Panama was able to score the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, despite key chances by the United States in the attacking zone and a red card in the final minutes, allowing Panama to finish the game level.

Weah, whose early red card put the United States at a serious disadvantage, apologized to his teammates and fans via Instagram:

“I pledge to learn from this experience, not let an opponent provoke me, and work to regain the trust and respect of my team and fans,” Weah said. “No matter what happens, I will always fight for my team and my country until the day I am no longer needed or able to do so! I sincerely apologize to everyone. My love for this team goes beyond football and I am so sad and angry with myself for putting my brothers through what they went through tonight.”

USMNT reels from shock loss to Panama in Copa America group stage

The United States will likely need a win against Uruguay in its final group stage match on Monday to finish in the top two of the group and advance to the quarterfinals.

Especially as the host nation, failing to advance from a group with Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia would be a catastrophic failure for a U.S. team that many consider to be in its “golden generation” and is preparing to host the World Cup in two years.

USA coach Gregg Berhalter, who returned as head coach last year, recently faced criticism of his position following a 5-1 defeat to Colombia in a friendly match before the Copa America. If the United States is eliminated early from the Copa America, the U.S. Soccer Federation will be forced to have very difficult discussions about whether or not it will retain Berhalter as head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Time is running out for the USMNT to achieve real results. Their current core led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Weah and Balogun needs to show they can take care of business against weaker opponents like Panama and play against some of the best teams in the world.

If Monday’s match against Uruguay does not go the way of the United States, the Copa America will have been a total failure.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT.