The U.S. men’s national team entered this summer’s Copa America with enormous expectations.
Two years ahead of a World Cup on home soil, this group of players, most of whom play for clubs in Europe’s best leagues, has been heralded as a team capable of bigger things than any U.S. men’s squad before it. There was a belief they were capable of making a run that could capture the country. This U.S. hosted Copa was seen not just as a dress rehearsal for that tournament, but also as a chance to prove they were ready to be real contenders for the sport’s biggest trophy in 2026.
After a shocking 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday in Atlanta, the U.S. will instead go into the group finale next week trying simply not to be eliminated at the group stage.
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The U.S.’ game plan went out the window in the 18th minute when Timothy Weah was given a straight red card for a shove on Panama’s Roderick Miller. The referee originally awarded Weah a yellow card but upon review, he upgraded the punishment, which reduced the USMNT to 10 players for the remainder of the match.
The hosts responded just four minutes later by taking the lead, courtesy of Folarin Balogun. He combined nicely with Antonee Robinson and then took a stellar strike from the edge of the penalty area, scoring his second goal of the tournament. Their lead was short-lived, though, with Cesar Blackman scoring from close range in the 26th minute as Panama benefitted from a turnover and caught the USMNT’s defense off guard.
Panama spent much of the game as the dominant side, boasting 72.5% of possession and outshooting the USMNT 13-6. Los Canaleros were wasteful as they searched for their go-ahead goal, putting just four of their shots on target and losing the expected goals battle 0.92 to 1.04, but were rewarded for their one-man advantage in the 82nd minute. Substitute Jose Fajardo scored the goal from close range, cementing the loss for the USMNT.
A chaotic match took another turn just four minutes later when Adalberto Carrasquilla picked up a red card of his own for kicking out at Christian Pulisic, who was making a run at goal as the USMNT fervently searched for an equalizer that never came.
The result means that the USMNT and Panama are now tied on points in Group C and are likely in a battle for second place. The pair most likely need wins in their final group stage games on Monday, with the tiebreakers favoring the hosts. The schedule does not benefit the U.S., though — they have to play Uruguay, who are now the favorites to top the group, while Panama face current bottom-dwellers Bolivia.
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Monday, July 1 vs. Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City – Buy Copa America Tickets or Buy Copa America Tickets
