The USMNT suffered a critical 1-2 defeat to Panama at Copa America 2024 as both sides finished the chaotic game with ten men, jeopardizing the Stars and Stripes’ future in the tournament.
Heading into their second Copa America 2024 match, all the USMNT needed to do was beat Panama to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. Panama, meanwhile, knew they had to collect at least a point from their second Group C fixture to stay alive in the tournament.
How the game unfolded
The USA once again got off to a fast start tonight. Chris Richards got his head onto a Christian Pulisic free kick that forced a save from Mosquera. The rebound fell to Tim Ream, who then played it to Weston McKennie for an easy 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. After a lengthy review, though, Ream was ruled offsides and the goal got wiped away.
Tensions rose quickly after Matt Turner was on the receiving end of a harsh collision. Then, a few minutes later, Tim Weah struck Panama’s Roderick Miller in the back of the head. Originally, the foul was deemed a yellow card offense, but after a quick VAR review, Weah was shown red and sent off in the 18th minute.
Down to ten men, the USA still pushed forward and found the breakthrough in the 22nd minute thanks to a lovely 1-2 between Antonee Robinson and Florian Balogun that ended with the No. 9 delivering a world-class left-footed strike into the top corner. The Stars and Stripes only held onto the lead for three minutes, though, before Blackman equalized, beating Turner with a weak effort from 18 yards out.
The USA switched to a back five for the second half in an attempt to keep the game from spiraling out of control. Panama was awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute that could have seen them go up 2-1, but the referee correctly reversed the decision. Los Canaleros then scored what seemed like an inevitable goal in the 83rd minute, securing their three points and 2-1 victory.
Adalberto Carrasquilla was shown red five minutes later for a horrific tackle on Pulisic, completely kicking through the USA captain’s legs. The match ended with just 20 players on the pitch.
GK: Matt Turner – 5/10 – Turner suffered a leg injury in the early minutes of the match, and never looked quite right after. The keeper was beat on Panama’s first goal, and then got subbed off at halftime.
RB: Joe Scally – 6/10 – Although most of Panama’s dangerous chances unfolded on the left side, Scally did well to shut down the right flank when he was called upon.
CB: Chris Richards – 7/10 – Richards started off shaky against Panama with what could have been a costly giveaway, but the center-back put his head down and defended valiantly alongside Ream tonight.
CB: Tim Ream – 7/10 – Ream could have recorded an assist tonight, but he was ruled offside on McKennie’s fifth minute goal. Otherwise, the leader of the USA’s defense was all over the pitch, locking down any quality chances from Panama.
LB: Antonee Robinson – 7/10 – Robinson provided the assist on Balogun’s opening goal, but he then lost a duel that lead to Panama’s equalizer. The Fulham defender bounced back, though, and was instrumental in keeping Panama from doubling their lead for almost the rest of the game.
CM: Weston McKennie – 6/10 – McKennie’s opening goal was ruled offside. Despite not finding the back of the net, though, the Leeds United player did all the dirty work in the midfield to help his team defend down a man.
CM: Tyler Adams – 6/10 – Adams once again was subbed off at halftime as Berhalter still manages the midfielder’s return from injury. The USA could have used his vocal leadership and defensive prowess in the second half.
CM: Gio Reyna – 6/10 – Although Reyna thrives on the attack, he had to adapt a much more defensive role tonight to keep the score level. When USA’s backline was caught out of position, the midfielder broke up several counter attacks, but was subbed off at halftime for an extra defender.
RW: Timothy Weah – 3/10 – Weah let his team down with a needless strike to Miller that earned him a red card and left the USA with ten men for 72 minutes.
ST: Folarin Balogun – 7/10 – Balogun scored the USA’s only goal tonight and did what he could up top to keep pressure on Panama’s defense.
LW: Christian Pulisic – 6/10 – Besides his brilliant delivery on an early free kick, Pulisic was not able to show what he is capable of since he had to drop back and defend for almost the entire match. The USA’s few flashes on the attack, though, always featured their captain.
Substitutes
Ethan Horvath – 4/10 – Horvath came on at halftime for the injured Matt Turner. The keeper should have saved Panama’s winner.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 5/10 – Carter-Vickers came on to add a much-needed defensive presence for the USA, but the defender was caught out on multiple occasions, including Panama’s second goal. The substitute was also whistled for a penalty, but after a VAR review, the call was correctly overruled.
Johnny Cardoso – 6/10 – Cardoso provided fresh legs and energy in the second half as the USA put their heads down and defended.
Ricardo Pepi – 5/10 – Pepi could have given the USA the lead off a brilliant counter attack in the 81st minute, but the striker headed it right at the keeper.
Josh Sargent – N/A – Sargent came on in the 85th minute with the hopes of helping the USA find a second goal, but to no avail.
Manager
Gregg Berhalter – 6/10 – The USA’s predicament tonight was not Gregg Berhalter’s fault, and the manager did what he could to make defensive substitutes to keep USA in the game. Berhalter is still on the hot seat, though, ahead of his team’s final Group C match against Uruguay. After taking zero points from Panama, the USMNT now needs a victory against La Celeste to advance to the quarter-finals.
If the Stars and Stripes do not make it beyond the Group Stage at a tournament in their backyard, then Berhalter will have more pressure on his head than ever before.