Tensions ran high in an ill-tempered affair last night as the United States were beaten 2-1 by Panama in their second group stage game at the Copa America.
Having won their opening game 2-0 against Bolivia – a game in which Christian Pulisic got a goal, an assist and Man of the Match – confidence was running high that they could secure the win needed to book a place in the knockout rounds.
However, Tim Weah became the villain as he got a red card in the first half for lashing out at Roderick Miller. Despite the fact that Folarin Balogun put them in front, Panama soon got level and an 83rd-minute effort from Jose Fajardo condemned them to a 2-1 defeat.
Pulisic spoke to reporters after the game to reflect on what was a frustrating night for his side, especially after a self-inflicted downfall, with Goal.com relaying his comments.
“Timmy knows the mistake he made. That’s it. He’s going to learn from it. It sucks. It’s not the way you want to put your team in that position. It hurts. Just the minimum, it’s a lapse of judgment. It’s just one simple second, you respond to something,” he said.
“We have to go and we have to represent our country with passion and we have to go and play the best game of our lives and that’s it. We want to go, and we want to win. We want to continue this competition.”
As shown in the clip below, there was a big coming together and some shoves exchanged when Adalberto Carrasquilla kicked Pulisic to the floor, getting a red card for a cynical foul.
Coco Carrasquilla, el que te junta las rodillas. pic.twitter.com/5z6a9Z8H1k
— FF (@ffranco92) June 27, 2024
Next up for Gregg Berhalter’s side is a game at Arrowhead Stadium – the home of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs – against Uruguay, who are the pace-setters in the group and among the tournament favourites.
A defeat against Marcelo Bielsa’s men would put them out of the tournament, while even a draw would leave things up in the air.
Terrible coach with very talented players who get knocked off their feet by a below average team. It all goes back to US Soccer who will eventually lose the interest of the fans in this mediocre product. When the stadium are empty and it hurts their bottomline is the time they realize radical changes need to happen!!
First of all they played with 10 men for 85 minutes of the game because of one idiot player otherwise I’m sure they would have won. I don’t think you can blame the coach for that.
Are you actually defending GGG? Weah’s mistake is not on Gregg, but those halftime adjustments were dreadful. We go to a back 5 and looked confused. Subbing Balogun off was a mistake, he was the best player on the day. The whole thing was a huge mess and GGG is not a coach the national team should be
Yea, I’m sure Weah going off at 15mns had nothing to do with their performance…
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a team play as dirty as Panama and hold as much. U.S. played with courage to stay in it a man down. But Weah ruined everything. The “golden generation” is starting to let opportunities slip by. People assume the team is going to get linearly better. But I don’t see as much talent in the pipeline as exists currently. They better take advantage of their current opportunities and not blow it with stupidity. Puli fought hard as always.
They can’t beat Panama but somehow they are good enough for Milan, while Italian players who keep winning cups are not lol.
This is the dumbest comment I’ve ever seen. Especially coming from an Italian whose team failed to qualify for the last 2 world cups and have looked absolutely awful in the Euros so far and needed a miracle to get out of the group stage. Pulisic was if not Milan’s best player this season, absolutely the most consistent player on the team. SO yes, he is more than good enough to play for Milan. Milan’s weakness is actually the Italian players. Calabria is not good enough for Milan, neither is Pobega.
No suprice that this is coming from you. Italy is the curent Euro champion, they just won the u17 Euro. And played in the final in the u20 world cup last year. Where is the usa ?
Who cares about the under 17 Euros, are you asking why the UsA isn’t in the Euros?? I hope not. But you can watch them in the real World Cup while you at home….Again.
No im asking what have the usa won recently ? Or if you want in the last 50years as well. Nothing, thats the answer. So take it easy when you think you have the right to critisize Italy.
@Rossi. Did you just watch Italy? Embarrassing. Again. They don’t produce great players anymore. And that’s why Milan doesn’t have many Italian players. There is 1 world class player on that entire team and it’s the goalie.
You are the one who came in here for no reason and decide to trash one of Milans best players because clearly you hate americans. That’s on you buddy. If I was an Italian I wouldn’t talk shot about any other team in the world right now.
Coach EGGHEAD needs to go !! He has had plenty of chances to manage games and FAILS REPEATEDLY. HE has a young team with so much potential and has not improved them in years. EGGHEAD OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!