The United States faced Panama on the second matchday of Group C of the 2024 Copa America, Friday 28 June 2024. In the duel at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the hosts of the 2024 Copa America lost with a score of 1-2.
America appeared with high confidence after winning 2-0 against Bolivia in the first match. However, the way Christian Pulisic and his colleagues started the match was not ideal.
In the 18th minute, Timothy Weah received a red card. The player from the Juventus club hit his opponent in a situation without the ball. A bad moment for the United States.
However, America was actually able to score a goal not long after Weah left the field. In the 22nd minute, Folarin Balogun scored. Balogun fired a hard kick after collaborating with Antonee Robinson.
America was indeed ahead. However, being outnumbered by players made it difficult for them to contain Panama. Four minutes after Balogun scored, Panama equalized the score thanks to Cesar Blackman’s action.
The first half ended with the score 1-1. At the start of the second half, coach Gregg Berhalter replaced three players at once. This is the response to the red card Weah received.
Panama played aggressively in the second half. Panama’s hard efforts paid off in the 83rd minute. Starting from an American player’s mistake when sweeping, Jose Fajardo found the back of Turner’s goal and gave Panama a 2-1 lead.
In the 88th minute, Panama received a red card. Adalberto Carrasquilla had to leave the field after kicking Pulisic’s leg. Panama continued the match with 10 players.
The 2-1 score lasted until the match was over. This result makes America stuck in 2nd place in Group C standings with three points. Panama, which is in third place with three points, has the opportunity to qualify for the Top 8.
