Berhalter: Tim Weah’s ‘foolish’ crimson card price U.S. in Panama loss

ATLANTA — United States males’s nationwide workforce coach Gregg Berhalter referred to as Tim Weah’s expensive first-half crimson card in a 2-1 Copa América defeat to Panama on Thursday a “foolish determination,” including that the ahead apologized to his teammates.

Weah was proven a straight crimson card within the 18th minute after extending his hand and putting Panama defender Roderick Miller at the back of his head in an off-ball incident. Weah was initially proven a yellow card, however it was modified to a crimson card by heart official Iván Barton after video overview.

“We talked beforehand concerning the tendencies of this referee, we knew what he is able to and to be trustworthy I believe we performed proper into his fingers,” Berhalter informed reporters in a information convention. “And we made that call I believe fairly simple. Tim received bumped, he received checked and he reacted. He apologized to the group and I believe he understands what a troublesome place he put the group in.

“Nonetheless it occurred and consequently we misplaced this sport and we’re gonna have to maneuver on and work out the best way to win subsequent sport.”

Folarin Balogun scored for the USMNT 4 minutes after Weah’s crimson card, however Panama’s César Blackman equalized 4 minutes after that. José Fajardo then scored an 83rd-minute winner for Panama to deal main blow to the US’ hopes of constructing it by to the quarterfinals.

“I believe we had a very good begin to the sport,” Berhalter added. “We received the objective; it received referred to as again. However the match-changing occasion is clearly the crimson card, and it places us in a troublesome spot however we anticipated that from them.

“I am unable to fault the hassle of the group, particularly after happening a person,” Berhalter added. “The blokes dug in and we have been near popping out with some extent. But it surely’s a disgrace, as a result of there was extra on this sport, and a foolish determination by Timmy leaves us short-handed.

“Then you’ve gotten the entire thing that is happening with the referee all through the sport, and it leaves us short-handed. So, it led to some unusual circumstances for positive.”

Weah’s sending off means he can be suspended for the match with Uruguay, when the U.S. will possible need to win to keep away from elimination. And the Juventus participant posted his personal apology on Instagram after the match, saying he had “let my workforce and my nation down.”

“A second of frustration led to an irreversible consequence, and for that, I’m deeply sorry to my teammates, coaches, household and our followers,” he wrote.

“Shifting ahead, I’m dedicated to studying from this expertise, not permitting an opponent to impress me, and dealing to regain the belief and respect of my workforce and supporters.

“It doesn’t matter what I’ll at all times combat for my workforce and my nation until the day I am now not wanted or succesful to. I sincerely apologize to everybody. My love for this workforce goes past simply soccer and I am so unhappy and indignant at myself for placing my brothers by what they went by tonight.”

U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams defended Weah’s character after what was solely the second crimson card of his profession for membership or nation. His first got here with Lille in 2022.

“You by no means imply to get a crimson card, certainly not,” Adams informed Fox. “He is not that kind of individual. He apologized to the workforce.

“And respect to the remainder of the workforce as a result of they fought for each single ball, each single duel, each single minute. We nonetheless created possibilities after happening to 10 males, so it reveals our high quality, and all to play for within the final sport.”

His crimson card was the second quickest from the beginning of the sport by a USMNT participant over the previous 40 years and the earliest in a aggressive match in that span.

Jimmy Conrad was despatched off 17 minutes right into a match in opposition to Honduras in a 2010 pleasant.

The U.S. was dealt an extra blow at half-time, with goalkeeper Matt Turner substituted and changed by Ethan Horvath after receiving remedy for a number of minutes within the first half following a collision with Panama’s César Blackman.

Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla was additionally despatched off within the 88th minute for a tough foul on Christian Pulisic in a heated end to the match.

Info from ESPN Stats & Info contributed to this report.