USMNT's Weah gets 2-game ban for red card
United States men’s national team forward Tim Weah has been suspended for an additional match and fined $3,000 for his red card against Panama at the Copa América, South America’s confederation Conmebol confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
Weah was ejected from the USMNT’s 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday in the 18th minute for an extended-arm jab to the back of the head of Panama defender Roderick Miller.
Weah was already due to miss Monday’s crucial group-stage finale against Uruguay to serve the automatic one-game suspension from the red card. On Saturday, Conmebol added an additional game to the suspension, meaning Weah will miss a potential quarterfinal should the USMNT advance in Copa América.
“I’m good, just a little down obviously with the circumstances,” Weah told Fox on Saturday. “To put my team in this situation was never my intention. I think I’m getting painted to be like a violent person which I’m not. And I think that kind of hurts a lot.
“And seeing my brothers kind of have to go a different route to get to our main goal, it really hurts a lot.”
Weah was sent off on Thursday following a video review. The incident was away from the ball as he tried to get free of Miller’s defending.
The match was scoreless at the time of the ejection. Folarin Balogun put the USMNT ahead four minutes after the red card, but the U.S. conceded an equalizer within minutes. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter switched to a 5-3-1 formation in the second half to try to preserve the point, but Panama’s José Fajardo broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute to claim all three points for Panama.
Panama was also reduced to 10 players in the 88th minute, when Adalberto Carrasquilla was sent off for a reckless challenge on USMNT captain Christian Pulisic.
After the match, Berhalter called Weah’s action a “silly decision,” and he said the forward apologized to the team. Weah also issued a public apology on his Instagram account.
“We talked beforehand about the tendencies of this referee, we knew what he’s capable of and to be honest I think we played right into his hands,” Berhalter told reporters in a news conference. “And we made that decision I think pretty easy. Tim got bumped, he got checked and he reacted. He apologized to the group, and I think he understands what a difficult position he put the group in.
“Nonetheless it happened and as a result we lost this game and we’re gonna have to move on and figure out how to win next game.”
The loss to Panama leaves the USMNT in danger of a group-stage exit on home soil at its only major tournament ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. A loss or draw against Uruguay on Monday will leave the U.S. requiring help from Bolívia against Panama to advance. The USMNT could beat Uruguay and still fail to advance if Panama beats Bolívia and makes up the goal difference, which is currently plus-2 in favor of the Americans.
“I’m just here to push them, do the same things I was doing before, give that energy for the team, make sure the vibes are right, keep everyone smiling, I think that’s the most important,” Weah said to Fox. “I wish them the best, I’m going to be with them throughout everything, supporting them, making sure they keep their heads on their shoulders.”
He continued: “I’m just going to do my best to make sure I’m here present with the team, intentional with the way I’m supporting the guys and I think that’s the most important. And just pray they get the job done, obviously.”
