Player ratings like the USMNT get zero points after fighting with ten men for 72 minutes

The USMNT lost 1-2 against Panama in the Copa America 2024 as both teams finished the match with ten men, jeopardizing the future of the Stars and Stripes in the tournament.

Going into their second game of Copa America 2024, all the USMNT needed was to beat Panama to secure their place in the quarter-finals. Panama, on the other hand, knew they had to collect at least a point in their second Group C match to stay alive in the tournament.

How the game happened

The USA got off to a fast start again tonight. Chris Richards got his head on a Christian Pulisic free kick which 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, however, Ream was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.

Tensions quickly rose after Matt Turner was in danger of a serious collision. A few minutes later, Tim Weah hit Panama’s Roderick Miller in the back of the head. Initially, the foul was considered a yellow card offence, 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 got the breakthrough in the 22nd minute thanks to a beautiful 1-2 between Antonee Robinson and Florian Balogun which ended with the world number 9 hitting a top left strike. it exists. The Stars and Stripes only held the lead for three minutes, however, before Blackman equalised, beating Turner with a weak effort from 18 yards out.

The USA switched back in the second half trying to keep the game out of control. Panama got a penalty in the 63rd minute that could have gone up 2-1, but the referee overturned the decision. Los Canaleros then scored what seemed like an inevitable goal in the 83rd minute, getting three points and a 2-1 victory.

Adalberto Carrasquilla was shown red five minutes later for a hard tackle on Pulisic, kicking the USA captain squarely in the legs. The game ended with only 20 players on the field.

GK: Matt Turner – 5/10 – Turner suffered a leg injury in the first minutes of the game, and did not look good. The goalkeeper was hit with Panama’s first goal, and was sent off at halftime.

RB: Joe Scally – 6/10 – Although many of Panama’s dangerous chances opened up on the left side, Scally did well to close down the right side when called upon.

CB: Chris Richards – 7/10 – Richards had a shaky start against Panama and it could have been costly, but the defender put his head down and defended bravely alongside Ream tonight.

CB: Tim Ream – 7/10 – Ream could have recorded an assist tonight, but was charged with a foul on McKennie’s goal in the fifth minute. Otherwise, the USA defensive leader was all over the pitch, shutting down any chances from Panama.

LB: Antonee Robinson – 7/10 – Robinson provided the assist for Balogun’s opening goal, but then lost the duel that led to Panama’s equaliser. The Fulham defender bounced back, however, and was instrumental in keeping Panama from doubling their lead for almost the rest of the game.

CM: Weston McKennie – 6/10 – McKennie’s opening goal was ruled offside. Despite not getting a goal, the Leeds United player did all the dirty work in midfield to help his team save a man down.

CM: Tyler Adams – 6/10 – Adams was also withdrawn at half-time as Berhalter managed the midfielder’s return from injury. The USA could have used his vocal leadership and defensive prowess in the second half.

CM: Gio Reyna – 6/10 – Although Reyna excelled in attack, she had to adapt to a more defensive role tonight to keep the score level. As the USA backline broke down, the midfielder broke up several attacking opportunities, only to be taken off on the break to find another defender.

RW: Timothy Weah – 3/10 – Weah let his team down with a needless tackle on Miller that earned him a red card and left the USA with ten men on 72 minutes.

ST: Folarin Balogun – 7/10 – Balogun scored the USA’s lone goal tonight and did his best to keep the pressure on Panama.

LW: Christian Pulisic – 6/10 – Despite his good free kick delivery, Pulisic couldn’t show what he’s capable of as he had to step back and defend almost the entire game. The few times the USA went on the attack, it always showed its captain.

What you are holding

Ethan Horvath – 4/10 – Horvath came on at halftime for the injured Matt Turner. The goalkeeper should have saved the winner for Panama.

Cameron Carter-Vickers – 5/10 – Carter-Vickers came on to add much-needed defensive depth to the USA, but the defender was caught multiple times, including Panama’s second goal. The substitute was also called for a penalty, but after a VAR review, the call was correctly overturned.

Johnny Cardoso – 6/10 – Cardoso provided new legs and energy in the second half as the USA put their heads down and defended.

Ricardo Pepi – 5/10 – Pepi could have put the USA ahead with a counter attack in the 81st minute, but the striker headed the goalkeeper.

Josh Sargent – N/A – Sargent came on in the 85th minute hoping to help the USA score a second goal but to no avail.

The manager

Gregg Berhalter – 6/10 – The USA’s problem tonight was not Gregg Berhalter’s fault, and the manager did everything he could to close the gaps in defense to keep the USA in the game. Berhalter is still on the hot seat, however, ahead of his side’s final Group C match against Uruguay. After taking zero points against Panama, the USMNT now needs a win against La Celeste to advance to the quarter-finals.

If the Stars and Stripes fail to progress beyond the Group Stage in the competition in their own backyard, then Berhalter will have more pressure on his head than ever before.