ATLANTA — The United States males’s nationwide staff misplaced to Panama 2-1 on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to place its hopes of advancing within the Copa América doubtful.
Tim Weah was despatched off within the 18th minute after video evaluate upgraded his yellow card to an ejection. Weah jabbed his hand into the again of the pinnacle of Panama defender Roderick Miller in an incident away from the ball, altering the dynamics of a sport the USMNT was anticipated to win.
Folarin Balogun scored a scintillating aim 4 minutes after Weah was despatched off to place the People forward, however the lead lasted solely 4 minutes. César Blackman broke free and struck the equalizer within the twenty second minute as three U.S. defenders failed to shut on the ball. José Fajardo acquired on the top of the ball within the 83rd minute to attain the winner for Panama.
The USMNT should now chase a consequence in opposition to favourite Uruguay in Monday’s group finale to qualify for the knockout stage.
Supervisor score (scale of 1-10; 10 = finest)
Gregg Berhalter, 6 — A uncommon sport for a supervisor during which he has to react to an early pink card and resolve whether or not to vary issues instantly (within the 18th minute) or journey it out with the personnel he has. Berhalter waited till halftime to make adjustments and switched to a 5-3-1 to attempt to protect the purpose and preserve the USMNT’s event hopes alive. Ultimately, it did not work.
Participant scores (1-10; gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
GK Matt Turner, 6 — He was screened and let down by his again line on the aim he conceded, and he was clearly taking part in via ache within the first half if he needed to come off on the break. No saves on a irritating day throughout for the USMNT.
DF Antonee Robinson, 5 — His excessive stress and nice run to win the ball led to an help on the USMNT’s aim. Received caught out a few occasions and had some questionable turnovers, and made an unforced error to clear the ball proper again to Panama for possession in what quickly grew to become the profitable aim.
DF Tim Ream, 5 — Could not shut down Blackman on the aim and acquired pulled out of practice a few occasions, together with when the U.S. went to a five-back.
DF Chris Richards, 4 — One other sport with too many giveaways — particularly when not below important stress — together with a pair early that brought about issues for Ream and Turner. Was late to step to Blackman and turned his physique because the shot went in. Regarded unsure on the ball for the second straight match. Took a late yellow in a scuffle so as to add to it.
DF Joe Scally, 5 — Received beat on the blind aspect late within the first half however did not get punished. Put in a major shift to cowl floor on the precise flank with the U.S. all the way down to 10, particularly when tasked with getting up and down on uncommon transitions within the second half, because the U.S. packed it in for the draw.
MF Tyler Adams, 6 — Restricted affect on a sport that by no means allowed for a lot pleasure in midfield because the USMNT needed to chase Panama.
MF Weston McKennie, 6 — Practically scored a fantastic opening aim, nevertheless it was known as again for an offside on Ream. Received on the top of one other set piece earlier than halftime however could not end. Did strong work in midfield over 90 minutes and practically delivered a late help on a pleasant run.
MF Giovanni Reyna, 6 — A quiet 45 minutes that was largely dictated by the pink card. He performed the short free kick to Christian Pulisic within the fortieth minute which may have deserved a glance from VAR, and Reyna stopped a counterattack in first-half stoppage time after Robinson’s ball to no person.
FW Christian Pulisic, 7 — Early set-piece supply was nice, and he tried to hold the ball solo after Weah’s pink card to rally his staff. He practically made one thing of nothing a pair occasions within the second half.
FW Folarin Balogun, 8 — Scored one of many nicest, most exact objectives you may see within the event moments after his staff was diminished to 10. He rang the crossbar simply earlier than halftime on one other effort that was known as offside anyway, nevertheless it illustrated how he managed to get behind regardless of his staff’s numbers drawback. Cannot ask for extra from a striker taking part in alone up high and down a person.
FW Timothy Weah, 2 — Received baited into the outdated Concacaf trick of reacting to an opponent and diminished his staff to 10 gamers for over 70 minutes. The injury is made worse by him now lacking a vital group-stage finale in opposition to Uruguay. How that performed out was worse than any on-field play might have been.
Substitutes
GK Ethan Horvath, 6 — Made a strong save six minutes into motion, in a uncommon match the place a goalkeeper substitute was required. No goalkeeper could be anticipated to avoid wasting the winner Panama scored from shut vary.
DF Cameron Carter-Vickers, 4 — Got here in at halftime because the central defender within the five-back, and he twice acquired in some dicey conditions within the field. He was saved by video evaluate from giving up a expensive penalty kick. He misplaced his mark within the field on Panama’s late winner.
MF Johnny Cardoso, 6 — Held the grueling activity of a holding midfielder position in a 5-3-1, down a person. Did effectively sufficient to defend the again line and chase balls laterally contemplating the percentages had been stacked in opposition to him.
FW Ricardo Pepi, NR — Got here on within the 72nd minute and practically discovered the go-ahead aim 9 minutes later however could not get any energy on his open header contained in the six-yard field.
FW Josh Sargent, NR — Got here on after Panama’s winner for first minutes with USMNT this 12 months, which is a constructive.
