U.S. males’s nationwide workforce head coach Gregg Berhalter defended his workforce’s efficiency of their 2-1 loss to Panama within the Copa America on Thursday, arguing that they have been ok to come back out with some extent regardless of the drawback of Timothy Weah’s 18th minute crimson card.
“I do know the result’s actually disappointing,” Berhalter stated in his post-match press convention. “I can not fault the hassle of the group, particularly after happening a person. The fellows dug in and we have been near popping out with some extent however it’s a disgrace as a result of there was extra on this recreation and foolish resolution by Timmy that leaves us shorthanded … One lapse, we obtained punished for it.”
Weah obtained a crimson card for shoving Panama’s Roderick Miller, which led Panama to dominate in possession and pictures for the remainder of the sport. Although the hosts responded with a purpose simply 4 minutes later from Folarin Balogun, Cesar Blackman scored the equalizer for Los Canaleros within the twenty sixth minute. Panama finally obtained their game-winning purpose within the 82nd minute from substitute Jose Fajardo, which gave them sufficient of a bonus to outlive Adalberto Carrasquilla’s crimson card simply 4 minutes later.
Consequently, the USMNT might be with out Weah for the group stage finale towards Uruguay on Monday. Berhalter stated Weah apologized to his teammates, and the winger additionally issued an apology on social media post-match.
Panama performed a predictably bodily fashion that appeared to journey up the USMNT, although Berhalter stated his workforce have been ready for the opposition’s recreation plan. As an alternative, he selected to single out referee Ivan Barton for his decision-making.
“We talked beforehand concerning the tendencies of this referee,” the pinnacle coach stated. “We knew what he is able to and to be sincere, I believe we performed proper into his fingers and we made that call fairly straightforward.”
He additionally criticized Barton’s resolution to not current Blackman with a yellow card for his collision with goalkeeper Matt Turner, which finally pressured the USMNT to make a halftime substitution by damage. It’s at present unclear how extreme Turner’s damage is.
“It was a pleasant problem by the attacker that did not even get a warning, which is de facto shocking,” Berhalter stated. “Take into consideration that. He knocks Matt [Turner] out of the sport and nothing.”
The loss leaves the USMNT equal on factors in Group C with Panama and more than likely needing a win from their matchup towards Uruguay, one of many darkish horses to win the Copa America, to advance to the knockout phases. Berhalter downplayed the excessive stakes of their group stage finale, shying away from the must-win label.
“I believe we’re all getting forward of ourselves somewhat bit by way of how this complete factor’s going to play out,” he stated. “What we all know, the information are that Panama’s going to play Bolivia and we will play Uruguay. That is clear. We do not know precisely what we will want from the sport, however we will go in with the intentions of attempting to play an excellent recreation and attempt to get the end result we have to advance and it is actually so simple as that.”