Summer Boos: USA Stunned 2-1 by Panama (in Notes From June 27)
Early Mental Gaffe Leads to Red Card, Tough Uruguay on Deck
In what’s already been derided as one of the dumbest moves in US soccer history, Tim Weah overreacted to some Panama shenanigans in a way that earned a red card in minute #18.
Afterward, ESPN’s website said a pundit “can’t fathom” Weah’s “mindset” that led to the infraction. It was called “inexcusable, “unforgiveable,” and the like on social media because nobody uses the word BONEHEADED any more. (Dope-uh America?) Weah obviously regrets his out-of-character reaction. Still time to atone. But, it might take a G3 win over Uruguay to reach the knockouts.
Sometimes teams rise to the occasion down 11-10 in personnel. And, that’s even easier to do when you’re (supposedly) the much superior team. USA was favored by 1.3 goals entering the night. This wasn’t going to be a blowout after the red card. Didn’t losing a player just turn an expected rout into a coin flip?
Panama 2, USA 1
Possession: Panama 74%, USA 26%
Shots on Goal: Panama 4, USA 3
Total Shots: Panama 13, USA 6
Corner Kicks: Panama 3, USA 0
Apparently Weah is a GOD, and the rest of the team a bunch of generic roster filler because USA’s 10 was no match for Panama’s 11. Yes, USA had to emphasize defense given the situation. But, this is PANAMA for goodness sake, not a South American power, or even Mexico. Panama would only be power-rated to beat Bolivia and Costa Rica in this event. That’s wilting in the face of a challenge (to the degree Panama even represents a challenge at the international level), not rising to the occasion.
The USMNT program already had countless critics before this even started. They’ve started chirping earlier than expected. Betting markets appear to have been too optimistic with the US at 12/1 to win this event at the outset. Probably getting too much home field advantage in game-to-game Power Ratings as well.