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…
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