Weah knocks down opponent, USA threaten Copa knockout.
US soccer players need "the best game of our lives" against Panama to avoid an early exit at the Copa America. In the second group game, there was a bitter loss. The team was down a man starting from the 18th minute.
Hosts USA are at risk of playing the role of spectators at the Copa America after the 1:2 (1:1) loss to Panama. The team, captained by Christian Pulisic, is tied with the Panamanians with three points. They need more points against table leaders Uruguay, who have all but secured their place in the next round after a 5:0 (2:0) win over Bolivia. "We have to get out there and play the best game of our lives," Pulisic announced for the Monday match.
US striker Timothy Weah threw a wrench in the hosts' plans in the Group C match in Atlanta with his red card (18th minute). The son of George Weah, World Footballer of the Year in 1995 and President of Liberia until this year, needlessly pushed his opponent to the ground off the ball near the midfield line.
Despite Folarin Balogun's second tournament goal (22nd minute) for the US Boys, with Joe Scally defending on the right for Borussia Monchengladbach, Thomas Christiansen's "Reds" equalized through Cesar Blackman (26th minute) and Jose Fajardo (83rd minute). Adalberto Carrasquilla added another twist with a red card (88th minute).
Uruguay quickly set the stage for victory in East Rutherford with a goal by Facundo Pellistri (8th minute) and followed up their 3:1 (2:0) win over Panama with additional goals from Darwin Nunez (21st minute), Maximiliano Araujo (77th minute), Federico Valverde (81st minute), and Rodrigo Bentancur (89th minute). In the end, veteran Luis Suarez was able to make his Copa America debut at the age of 37.
Following their loss against Panama, the USA needs to deliver their best performance in soccer against Uruguay to advance in the Copa America. Regardless of the result against Panama, the USA and Copa America champions Uruguay are set to face each other in soccer, with the latter already securing a strong position in their group.
