US Tim Weah suspended for 2 matches for red card in match against Panama

United States men’s national team striker Tim Weah has been suspended for an extra match and fined $3,000 for his red card against Panama in the Copa América, South American confederation Conmebol confirmed to ESPN.

Weah was ejected from the USMNT’s 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday in the 18th minute for jabbing his outstretched hand in the back of the head of Panama defender Roderick Miller.

Weah was already due to miss Monday’s decisive group stage final against Uruguay to serve an automatic one-match suspension due to a red card. On Saturday, Conmebol added an extra match to his suspension, meaning Weah will miss a potential quarterfinal if the U.S. team advances in the Copa América.

“I feel good, just obviously a little bummed about the circumstances,” Weah told Fox’s Jenny Taft on Saturday. “It was never my intention to put my team in this situation. I think they’re painting me as an aggressive person, which I’m not. And I think that hurts a lot.

“Seeing that my brothers have to go a different way to achieve our main goal really hurts a lot.”

Weah was sent off on Thursday following a video review. The incident occurred away from the ball as he tried to break free from Miller’s defense.

At the time of his sending off, the match was goalless. Folarin Balogun gave the USMNT the lead four minutes after a red card, but the US conceded the equalizing goal within minutes. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter changed to a 5-3-1 formation in the second half to try to maintain the lead, but Panama’s José Fajardo broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute to score all three points for Panama.

Panama were also reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Adalberto Carrasquilla was sent off for a reckless foul on USMNT captain Christian Pulisic.

After the match, Berhalter called Weah’s actions a “stupid decision” and said the striker apologized to the team. Weah also issued a public apology on his Instagram account.

“We talked before about this referee’s tendencies, we knew what he was capable of and honestly, I think we played into his hands,” Berhalter told reporters at a news conference. “And I think we made that decision quite easily. Tim was pushed, he was checked and he reacted. He apologized to the group and I think he understands what a difficult situation he put the group in.

“Still, it happened and as a result we lost this game and we’ll have to move on and figure out how to win the next game.”

The loss to Panama puts the U.S. team in danger of being eliminated from the group stage on home soil in the only major tournament before the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States. A loss or draw against Uruguay on Monday will leave the United States needing Bolivia’s help against Panama to advance. The U.S. team could beat Uruguay and still fail to advance if Panama beats Uruguay and closes the goal difference, which is currently +2 in favor of the Americans.

“I’m just here to push them, do the same thing I did before, give that energy to the team, make sure the vibes are right, make everyone smile, I think that’s the most important thing,” Weah added to Fox. “I wish them all the best, I will be with them all the time, supporting them, making sure they keep their heads on their shoulders.”

He continued: “I’m just going to do my best to be present here with the team, consciously supporting the guys, and I think that’s the most important thing. And let’s just pray that they get the job done, of course.”