ATLANTA — Tim Weah is usually as cool and graceful on the soccer field as off it, but in a moment of madness Thursday, the 24-year-old winger put the U.S. national team in a terrible spot. And because of it, a berth in the Copa América quarterfinals now hangs in the balance.
Weah received a red card in the 18th minute for punching an opponent on the back of the head, leaving his team shorthanded for most a 2-1 defeat to Panama.
Despite the situation, the Americans actually took the lead after Weah’s dismissal on Folarin Balogun’s sensational goal in the 22nd minute.