The USA faced a devastating 2-1 defeat against Panama in Atlanta, despite a resilient effort after playing over 70 minutes with ten men. Timothy Weah’s early red card left the host nation scrambling and blew Group C wide open with one round of matches remaining.
Gregg Berhalter fielded an unchanged lineup from their previous victory over Bolivia, hoping to continue the 37-year tradition of no host nation exiting at the group stage. The USA started strongly, with Chris Richards nearly scoring in the opening minutes, only for his header to be denied by a stunning save from Orlando Mosquera. Tim Ream’s follow-up was ruled offside, leaving the score level.
Disaster struck in the 19th minute when Weah was shown a red card for violent conduct after a VAR review. The decision, a reversal of the initial yellow card, came as Weah retaliated against Roderick Miller. Despite being a man down, the USA took the lead through a brilliant left-footed strike from Folarin Balogun in the 27th minute.
However, the lead was short-lived. Panama’s César Blackman equalized just four minutes later, scoring his first international goal with a composed finish past Matt Turner. The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, who played a crucial role in the first half, was replaced by Ethan Horvath at halftime due to injury.
Horvath faced immediate pressure, expertly saving Edgardo Fariña’s long-range effort. The USA’s defense was under constant strain, and a VAR review overturned a potential penalty when Cameron Carter-Vickers appeared to foul José Fajardo, though no contact was made.
The second half saw the USA struggling to create chances, with their only significant opportunity coming from a surprise Balogun effort in the 70th minute. Panama’s persistence paid off in the 83rd minute when substitute José Fajardo finished Abdiel Ayarza’s cross, sealing the win for Panama.
In the dying moments, Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla received a red card, but it did little to alter the game’s outcome. The USA now faces a critical final group match against Uruguay, needing at least a draw to advance, while Panama will meet Bolivia with a chance to secure their own progression.
