United States males’s nationwide workforce ahead Tim Weah has been suspended for a further match and fined $3,000 for his purple 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 because of miss Monday’s essential group-stage finale towards Uruguay to serve the automated one-game suspension from the purple card. On Saturday, Conmebol added a further sport to the suspension, that 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 advised Fox’s Jenny Taft on Saturday. “To place my workforce on this scenario 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 sort of hurts rather a lot.
“And seeing my brothers sort of should go a special path to get to our principal purpose, it actually hurts rather a lot.”
Weah was despatched off on Thursday following a video overview. 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 purple 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 purpose, however Panama’s José Fajardo broke the impasse within the 83rd minute to assert all three factors for Panama.
Panama was additionally diminished 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 known as Weah’s motion a “foolish choice,” and he mentioned the ahead apologized to the workforce. 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 trustworthy I believe we performed proper into his fingers,” Berhalter advised reporters in a information convention. “And we made that call I believe fairly straightforward. 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 because of this we misplaced this sport and we’re gonna have to maneuver on and work out find out how to win subsequent sport.”
The loss to Panama leaves the USMNT in peril of a group-stage exit on residence soil at its solely main event forward of the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. A loss or draw towards Uruguay on Monday will depart the U.S. requiring assist from Bolívia towards Panama to advance. The USMNT may beat Uruguay and nonetheless fail to advance if Panama beats Uruguay and makes up the purpose distinction, which is at the moment plus-2 in favor of the Individuals.
“I am simply right here to push them, do the identical issues I used to be doing earlier than, give that power for the workforce, make sure that the vibes are proper, maintain everybody smiling, I believe that is crucial,” Weah mentioned to Fox. “I want them one of the best, I’ll be with them all through all the things, supporting them, ensuring they maintain their heads on their shoulders.”
He continued: “I am simply going to do my finest to ensure I am right here current with the workforce, intentional with the best way I am supporting the blokes and I believe that is crucial. And simply pray they get the job accomplished, clearly.”