United States males’s nationwide staff ahead Tim Weah has been suspended for a further match and fined $3,000 for his crimson card towards Panama on 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 within the 18th minute for an extended-arm jab to the again of the top of Panama defender Roderick Miller.
Weah was already resulting from miss Monday’s essential group-stage finale towards Uruguay to serve the automated one-game suspension from the crimson card. On Saturday, Conmebol added a further sport to the suspension, which means Weah will miss a possible quarterfinal ought to the USMNT advance in Copa América.
“I am good, just a bit down clearly with the circumstances,” Weah informed Fox’s Jenny Taft on Saturday. “To place my staff on this state of affairs was by no means my intention. I believe I am getting painted to be like a violent particular person which I am not. And I believe that type of hurts lots.
“And seeing my brothers type of need to go a special path to get to our principal objective, it actually hurts lots.”
Weah was despatched off on Thursday following a video assessment. The incident was away from the ball as he tried to get freed from Miller’s defending.
The match was scoreless on the time of the ejection. Folarin Balogun put the USMNT forward 4 minutes after the crimson card, however the U.S. conceded an equalizer inside minutes. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter switched to a 5-3-1 formation within the second half to attempt to protect the lead, however Panama’s José Fajardo broke the impasse within the 83rd minute to say all three factors for Panama.
Panama was additionally lowered to 10 gamers within the 88th minute, when Adalberto Carrasquilla was despatched off for a reckless problem on USMNT captain Christian Pulisic.
After the match, Berhalter referred to as Weah’s motion a “foolish determination,” and he stated the ahead apologized to the staff. Weah additionally issued a public apology on his Instagram account.
“We talked beforehand in regards to the tendencies of this referee, we knew what he is able to and to be sincere I believe we performed proper into his arms,” Berhalter informed reporters in a information convention. “And we made that call I believe fairly simple. Tim obtained bumped, he obtained 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 in consequence we misplaced this sport and we’re gonna have to maneuver on and determine methods to win subsequent sport.”
The loss to Panama leaves the USMNT at risk of a group-stage exit on house soil at its solely main match forward of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. A loss or draw towards Uruguay on Monday will go away the U.S. requiring assist from BolÃvia towards Panama to advance. The USMNT might beat Uruguay and nonetheless fail to advance if Panama beats Uruguay and makes up the objective distinction, which is at the moment plus-2 in favor of the People.
“I am simply right here to push them, do the identical issues I used to be doing earlier than, give that vitality for the staff, ensure the vibes are proper, preserve everybody smiling, I believe that is a very powerful,” Weah stated to Fox. “I want them one of the best, I’ll be with them all through every part, supporting them, ensuring they preserve their heads on their shoulders.”
He continued: “I am simply going to do my finest to ensure I am right here current with the staff, intentional with the best way I am supporting the fellows and I believe that is a very powerful. And simply pray they get the job finished, clearly.”