The USMNT suffered a essential 1-2 defeat to Panama at Copa America 2024 as either side completed the chaotic sport with ten males, jeopardizing the Stars and Stripes’ future within the event.
Heading into their second Copa America 2024 match, all of the USMNT wanted to do was beat Panama to safe their spot within the quarter-finals. Panama, in the meantime, knew they needed to acquire no less than a degree from their second Group C fixture to remain alive within the event.
How the sport unfolded
The USA as soon as once more received off to a quick begin tonight. Chris Richards received his head onto a Christian Pulisic free kick that pressured a save from Mosquera. The rebound fell to Tim Ream, who then performed it to Weston McKennie for a simple 1-0 lead within the fifth minute. After a prolonged assessment, although, Ream was dominated offsides and the objective received wiped away.
Tensions rose shortly after Matt Turner was on the receiving finish of a harsh collision. Then, a couple of minutes later, Tim Weah struck Panama’s Roderick Miller behind the pinnacle. Initially, the foul was deemed a yellow card offense, however after a fast VAR assessment, Weah was proven crimson and despatched off within the 18th minute.
Down to 10 males, the USA nonetheless pushed ahead and located the breakthrough within the twenty second minute because of a stunning 1-2 between Antonee Robinson and Florian Balogun that ended with the No. 9 delivering a world-class left-footed strike into the highest nook. The Stars and Stripes solely held onto the lead for 3 minutes, although, earlier than Blackman equalized, beating Turner with a weak effort from 18 yards out.
The USA switched to a again 5 for the second half in an try to maintain the sport from spiraling uncontrolled. Panama was awarded a penalty within the 63rd minute that might have seen them go up 2-1, however the referee appropriately reversed the choice. Los Canaleros then scored what appeared like an inevitable objective within the 83rd minute, securing their three factors and 2-1 victory.
Adalberto Carrasquilla was proven crimson 5 minutes later for a horrific deal with on Pulisic, utterly kicking by way of the USA captain’s legs. The match ended with simply 20 gamers on the pitch.
GK: Matt Turner – 5/10 – Turner suffered a leg damage within the early minutes of the match, and by no means appeared fairly proper after. The keeper was beat on Panama’s first objective, after which received subbed off at halftime.
RB: Joe Scally – 6/10 – Though most of Panama’s harmful possibilities unfolded on the left aspect, Scally did properly to close down the precise flank when he was known as upon.
CB: Chris Richards – 7/10 – Richards began off shaky towards Panama with what might have been a pricey giveaway, however the center-back put his head down and defended valiantly alongside Ream tonight.
CB: Tim Ream – 7/10 – Ream might have recorded an help tonight, however he was dominated offside on McKennie’s fifth minute objective. In any other case, the chief of the USA’s protection was everywhere in the pitch, locking down any high quality possibilities from Panama.
LB: Antonee Robinson – 7/10 – Robinson offered the help on Balogun’s opening objective, however he then misplaced a duel that result in Panama’s equalizer. The Fulham defender bounced again, although, and was instrumental in protecting Panama from doubling their lead for nearly the remainder of the sport.
CM: Weston McKennie – 6/10 – McKennie’s opening objective was dominated offside. Regardless of not discovering the again of the online, although, the Leeds United participant did all of the soiled work within the midfield to assist his group defend down a person.
CM: Tyler Adams – 6/10 – Adams as soon as once more was subbed off at halftime as Berhalter nonetheless manages the midfielder’s return from damage. The USA might have used his vocal management and defensive prowess within the second half.
CM: Gio Reyna – 6/10 – Though Reyna thrives on the assault, he needed to adapt a way more defensive position tonight to maintain the rating stage. When USA’s backline was caught out of place, the midfielder broke up a number of counter assaults, however was subbed off at halftime for an additional defender.
RW: Timothy Weah – 3/10 – Weah let his group down with a unnecessary strike to Miller that earned him a crimson card and left the USA with ten males for 72 minutes.
ST: Folarin Balogun – 7/10 – Balogun scored the USA’s solely objective tonight and did what he might up prime to maintain stress on Panama’s protection.
LW: Christian Pulisic – 6/10 – In addition to his sensible supply on an early free kick, Pulisic was not in a position to present what he’s able to since he needed to drop again and defend for nearly your complete match. The USA’s few flashes on the assault, although, at all times featured their captain.
Substitutes
Ethan Horvath – 4/10 – Horvath got here on at halftime for the injured Matt Turner. The keeper ought to have saved Panama’s winner.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 5/10 – Carter-Vickers got here on so as to add a much-needed defensive presence for the USA, however the defender was caught out on a number of events, together with Panama’s second objective. The substitute was additionally whistled for a penalty, however after a VAR assessment, the decision was appropriately overruled.
Johnny Cardoso – 6/10 – Cardoso offered recent legs and power within the second half because the USA put their heads down and defended.
Ricardo Pepi – 5/10 – Pepi might have given the USA the lead off an excellent counter assault within the 81st minute, however the striker headed it proper on the keeper.
Josh Sargent – N/A – Sargent got here on within the eighty fifth minute with the hopes of serving to the USA discover a second objective, however to no avail.
Supervisor
Gregg Berhalter – 6/10 – The USA’s predicament tonight was not Gregg Berhalter’s fault, and the supervisor did what he might to make defensive substitutes to maintain USA within the sport. Berhalter continues to be on the new seat, although, forward of his group’s ultimate Group C match towards Uruguay. After taking zero factors from Panama, the USMNT now wants a victory towards La Celeste to advance to the quarter-finals.
If the Stars and Stripes don’t make it past the Group Stage at a event of their yard, then Berhalter could have extra stress on his head than ever earlier than.