Panama 2-1 USMNT: summary, score, goals, highlights Copa América
Panama - USMNT: As it happened
After a disappointing defeat to Panama, we take a look at what USMNT need to ensure that they progress to the Copa America quarter-finals...
Heartbreak for USMNT
They played with ten men for the vast majority of the game but it wasn't until the final ten minutes that USMNT fell behind against Panama.
The early red card for Tim Weah was the turning point in a game that the US could not afford to lose. They now need a result against Uruguay in the final game of the group stages.
Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeep
That's it, game over!
The United States have lost to Panama and their Copa America dreams have taken a major knock.
A silly foul from Josh Sergeant gives Panama a free kick on the halfway line and gives them the opportunity to waste the final few second of this game.
Goalkeeper Horvath comes up for the free kick but Chris Richards heads it over at the back post. Frustration for USMNT.
Freddy Gondola
The first cross is cleared but McKennie gets the second ball.
He's immediately hacked down and there's another booking.
Eduardo Farina
The Panama defnder hacks down Robinson as he tries to break through the midfield. Free kick to the US on the halfway line.
Somehow, SOMEHOW, there is just four minutes of added time signalled by the fourth official.
That barely covers the VAR penalty check...
The cross is a poor one and Panama clear comfortably.
Ok, so to recap.
Bothteams are now down to ten men. Panama lead 2-1. USMNT are pushing for a leveller.
Free kick to the US, 40 yards from goal. Pulisic to deliver...
Adalaberto 'Coco' Carrasquilla
The Panama midfielder is off! More drama in this astonishing game!
Late change. Josh Sergeant comes on for Tim Ream.
It's an attacking move from Gregg Berhalter.
What can the US muster now? This is a real do or die moment now, with Uruguay coming up in their final group stage game.
They really need at least a point from this.
Panama were building nicely around the edge of the box but looked to have lost the ball when Antonee Robinson intercepted. But he was quickly dispossessed and the ball squared to Fajardo who thrashed the ball past Horvath and into the roof of the net.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Jose Fajardo
Panama have the goal, an emphatic finish from Jose Fajardo from close range!
That's a killer for the US, who have fought so hard with ten men.
Big chance for Pepi!
Here's one of those USMNT break!
Brilliant run from Weston McKennie to charge into the box and clip a cross to the back post. Ricardo Pepi is there to meet it but, stretching back to connect, he can't generate any power on his header and Mosquera saves comfortably.
We're into the final ten minutes now and there's not much change of flow in this game.
Panama are dominating the ball but look unable to find a way through the US defence. The US, in turn, are content to sit back and try to hit Panama on the break.
Panama are trying to prise a path through this USMNT backline but it's proving difficult, a testament to this defensive performance from Berhalter's side. Coco Carrasquilla tries to clip a ball over the top for Fajardo but it's aimless, bouncing through to Horvath.
It looks like the US are readying more changes now. Yunus Musah seems to be getting his instructions as Berhalter looks to bring on fresh legs.
The cross is easily cleared and US keeper Ethan Horvath has to rush off his line to prevent a swift counter-attack from Panama.
USMNT win a free kick on the left after Martinez kicks out at Pulisic. He's taken a lot a fouls today and done well to keep his head.
A chance for Pulisic to deliver into the box now.
And that'll be Balogun's final involvement today. He's off, replaced by Ricardo Pepi.
Top performance from Balogun today in tough circumstances.
Balogun comes close for USMNT
Brilliant run from Pulisic brings the US forward on the left. He slips the ball down the line to Balogun, who cuts inside and shapes to curl one into the far corner with his right foot.
He hits it firmly but doesn't get the requisite curve and the ball flies out for a goal kick.
Panama come forward again, looking to get the ball out wide and then deliver into the box. But this is suiting the US well and it's minimising the effect of their extra man.
And so, on we go.
It's been a busy night for the VAR officials so far. The technology has helped to chalk off a goal, given a red card and now overturned a penalty. What next?!
VAR - No penalty
Incredible. The referee has changed his mind, the penalty decision is reversed!
He seems to have adjudged that there was only minimal contact on Fajardo from Carter-Vickers.
VAR - Checking penalty decision
The referee has been called across to the monitor to take another look at that decision.
Penalty and red card? No penalty? Who knows...
It was a terrible decision from Carter-Vickers.
Jose Fajardo had leapt on a loose ball in the box and was shaping to shoot. CCV flew into a slide tackle and appeared to take the striker out.
Did the US defender get a touch on the ball? It didn't look like it...
PENALTY- Panama
Rash challenge from Carter-Vickers in the box and the referee points to the spot!
Nightmare for USMNT!
Good defending from Robinson to hold off Martinez and win a free kick for his team on the edge of the box.
You get the sense that the US are just holding on now, looking to see out the next few minutes without conceding.
There's a moment of concern for the US as Fajardo flicks the ball through Carter-Vickers' legs and goes down on the edge of the box. It gets a quick VAR check but the Celtic man is found to have won the ball cleanly.
Coco Carrasquilla glides through the midfield with a clever touch and runs in on the US backline. He tries to slip a pass through to Jose Fajardo but it's overhit and rolls through to Horvath.
A wasted chance for Panama, there.
Panama are enjoying a lot of the ball but they're not doing much with it.
An aimless cross into the middle is comfortably cleared by Tim Ream. An attempted through-ball from Carrasquilla bounces out for a goal kick.
Can the Panamanians find a way through?
Joe Scally is on the receiving end of another late challenge, wining a free kick on the right flank. The USMNT full back has really been in the wars so far this evening.
Farina strike stings Horvath's palms
Out of nowhere Panama defender Edgardo Farina hits a fierce strike from 35 yards out, forcing a sharp save from Horvath in the US goal.
The US definitely seem content to cede the central areas of the field, allowing Panama to push up and build the play in midfield. Berhalter's looking to sit back, soak up the pressure and hit Panama on the break.
After the chaos of the first 45 minutes, the second 45 have begun at a more leisurely pace. That will suit the USMNT, who were starting to look a little stretched with their ten men.
Eric Davis whips in a dangerous cross but it's a little overhit. Horvath watches on as it bounces out for a goal kick.
Panama waste little time in winning a corner, a chance for them to put new keeper Ethan Horvath under pressure.
There's a Panama change at the break too. Striker Eduardo Guerrero is replaced by Jose Fajardo.
And we're back!
Panama get the second half underway...
Triple change at the break.
Ethan Horvath, Johnny Cardoso and Cameron Carter-Vickers come on for USMNT. Turner, Reyna and Adams are off.
Next up, Tim Weah's red card.
USMNT were well on top when the forward was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident. Weah received a straight red card for lashing out at an opponent, here's what that means for his tournament going forward...
Let's take a look back at some of those key moments from the first half.
First up, Weston McKennie thought he had fired USMNT ahead in the first five minutes but his goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check. Here's why...
Peeep peeeep peeeeeeeeeep
And that's the break. A breathless first half comes to a close with two goals, a disallowed goal and a red card from 45 minutes of action.
It's all to play for in the second half.
Folarin Balogun rattles the crossbar!
The USMNT forward runs in behind the Panama backline and smashes the ball against the woodwork from a tight angle. He's been really good in the first half here.
USMNT recover and stem the counter-attack. The game's getting increasingly stretched in these final minutes of the first half.
Folarin Balogun wins a free kick on the left of the box. Perfect position for Pulisic to curl in a cross.
The cross is good but Panama get the ball clear and try to break...
We'll have another five minutes of this rollercoaster ride in Atlanta.
Eduardo Guerrero
The striker is booked for a 'full-blooded' challenge on Joe Scally. He can have no complaints about that one.
Brilliant diagonal pass finds Eric Davis ghosting in behind Scally at the back post. The full back tries to cushion the ball back across the face of goal but gets it all wrong. USMNT goal kick.
Eric Davis beats Scally on the flank and makes some room for a cross but his delivery is well overhit.
Panama clip the ball forward and Guerrero makes some space for a shot. He swivels on the ball and fires goalwards but drags his effort wide of the target.
Christian Pulisic runs in behind and tries to latch onto a long ball over the top but he's crowded out by recovering defenders.
There's a real bite to this game now. Loose balls are pounced upon in the midfield and the US are looking to play swiftly when they get the chance.
McKennie gets up well to connect with the cross but can't direct his header on target. Goal kick to Panama.
Good work from Balogun to run the ball into the corner and win a free kick for his team. He's usually a penalty box player but he'll need to put in a real shift for his ten-man team today.
Pulisic will swing in the cross from the right...
With ten minutes to go until the break Panama are taking control of this game, with Martinez and Carrasquilla pulling the strings in midfield. The US are being forced to play on the counter-attack which, in all honesty, does suit them in these circumstances.
Antonee Robinson
The US left back is booked for a late challenge on Christian Martinez.
This game is getting very heated now.
We're at the half-hour mark and this game has had it all. Weston McKennie's opener disallowed by VAR, a red card and two goals from outside the box.
That goal has given Panama real confidence and they're pressing forward in intent now. The US defend bravely to block a Barcenas shot on the edge of the box and head away the resultant corner.
Panama come forward again on the right flank and nearly make space for Chrisitan Martinez to strike. Tim Ream manages to muscle him out of the way, but only just.
GOOOOOAAAAAL! Panama
And just like that, Panama are level.
Blackman finds a pocket of space on the edge of the US box and fires a low shot past Turner from 18 yards. The perfect response form Panama.
Ten-man USMNT lead Panama!
Folarin Balogun fires his team in front with a brilliant left-footed strike. That's the quality that Berhalter needs from his No. 9.
GOOOOAAAAAAAL! Folarin Balogun
Sen-sa-tion-al!
The Monaco forward pounces on a loose ball on the edge of the box and lashes it into the top corner! It cannoned off the inside of the post and into the back of the net.
USMNT lead!
It's been a rollercoaster start for USMNT.
They have reshaped to a 4-4-1 with Balogun as a lone striker. Berhalter needs to settle things down here, allow them to regroup.
Tim Weah
He's off! Incredible.
Tim Weah's booking is upgraded to a straight red for a brainless swing out at a Panama defender. USMNT are down to ten men.
Tim Weah
The USMNT forward is booked for a coming-together with a Panama defender. It was an off-the-ball incident, completely unnecessary from Weah. He's a bit lucky with a booking there.
Yep, Matt Turner is up again and will be able to play on. He's getting a full check from the medical staff though, showing how serious the knock was.
The US players aren't happy with that challenge from Blackman, and it certainly wasn't pretty. But it was an honest attempt to go for the ball from the Panamanian wingback and he had eyes only for the ball.
The good news is that Turner's back on his feet now. You'd expect that he will be able to continue.
Matt Turner
The USMNT keeper is down after a HEAVY challenge from Cesar Blackman.
Both players are down, but Turner definitely suffered the worse of that coming-together.
Anyway, back to the action. The US are taking the game to Panama, looking to press them high.
Why was McKennie's goal offside?
Ok, having now seen a replay...
McKenni and Richards were both onside, but Antonee Robinson made a play for the ball after it has bounced back off the crossbar. Robinson was in an offside position and his movement allowed the ball to roll through to McKennie.
VAR - No goal, offside
The goal is ruled out for offside, it looks like McKennie was in an offside position when Richards won the first ball.
Hold on, VAR check
No idea what for, if I'm honest.
Possibly a foul from Richards while winning the first header? There was nothing immediately obvious on first viewing...
GOOOOOOAAAAAL! Weston McKennie
Brilliant cross from Pulisic finds the head of Richards but his effort cannons back off the bar.
The rebound falls to McKennie who rifles the ball home from the penalty spot. Brilliant finish from the Juventus man!
And just like that, Scally shows good feet on the flank and wins his team a free kick. Pulisic to curl it in...
The US are making a real effort to move the ball quickly here, working the ball out wide to Scally on the right flank as much as possible. Panama will try to sit back so these switches of play will be crucial.
Good play from Panama as Guerrero works the left channel and flicks in a cross towards Blackman, who can't quite connect.
A moment of concern there for Berhalter.
Late challenge from Adams on Carrasquilla. The US midfielder narrowly avoid a booking.
The US start with a long ball forward, looking to pin Panama back in their own half. Weston McKennie makes a good run down the right flank and curls in a cross, well claimed by Orlando Mosquera.
And we're off!
USMNT get things underway...
Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen leads Panama. / MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP
Thomas Christiansen looks for a famous Panama win
Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has enjoyed an eclectic career and has considerable experience at the top level. The former Oviedo and Villarreal striker managed in Greece, England and Germany before taking over as Panama head coach in 2020.
He has led Panama into two CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments, taking them to the final in 2023. This is his first Copa America and he’ll be looking to pull off a shock result tonight.
The players are out!
We're onto the anthems now in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Panamanian national anthem draws a good response from the not inconsiderable number of Panama supporters in the stadium. Next up, The Star-Spangled Banner...
Will Coco Carrasquilla be the difference-maker?
Panama go into the game as clear underdogs but they boast a one player who can certainly unlock the US defence. Houston Dynamo midfielder Adalberto 'Coco' Carrasquilla has proved his talents over the past few years in MLS and will be eager to make an impact tonight.
USMNT prepare for Panama test
We're just ten minutes from kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the United States know that a victory over Panama will be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
The players are prepared and awaiting the referee's signal in the tunnel. Kickoff isn't far away now...
Matt Turner goes through his paces
Goalkeeper Matt Turner endured a tricky 2023/24 campaign, losing his place in the Nottingham Forest team and being forced to watch on from the sidelines for the final few months of the season. Nevertheless he remains Gregg Berhalter's No. 1 pick for the national team and he insisted this week that he's optimistic about the growth of USMNT.
"I think any time you can win a game in an important, worldwide competition, a big-time tournament, it's good for the program, it's good for us," Turner told reporters earlier this week. "Obviously, we wish we did some things better, but that's what tournaments are about. You want to improve and get better throughout the tournament and keep growing as a team, and a bond and a culture.
United States take on Panama. / HECTOR VIVAS / Getty Images via AFP
USMNT head out for warmups
The players are out on the field to go through the warmups ahead of this Copa America clash. The United States can book their place in the quarter-finals with a victory tonight but take on a battling Panama side who will be desperate to give them a bloody nose.
The US have named an unchanged lineup for today's game, the first time that Gregg Berhalter has named the same team in consecutive games since the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021.
Christian Pulisic looks to add to impressive Panama record
Two years ago Christian Pulisic scored a superb hat-trick in a USMNT win over Panama, completing his treble with this sensational solo effort. The US captain comes into this tournament in real form and has already bagged a goal and an assist in the game against Bolivia.
Can Panama pull off an upset against USMNT?
Panama’s greatest success of modern times was qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a massive achievement for a country of just 4 million people. They lost all three group stage games in that tournament but broke new ground and made headlines with a… ‘combative’ style of play.
They now play a well-drilled 3-4-3 formation under head coach Thomas Christiansen and boast the physicality to rattle even the very best teams. Beyond that, in Houston Dynamo midfielder Coco Carrasquilla they have a midfielder of real quality.
How good was Christian Pulisic against Bolivia?
In short, very good. The USMNT captain needed just three minutes to fire his team ahead, curling into the top corner from the edge of the box. He turned provider for Folarin Balogun's goal and could've had more assists if his teammates could locate their shooting boots.
A top performance from Pulisic, who comes into this tournament in the form of his life.
The main attacking threat for Panama will be MLS star Adalberto 'Coco' Carrasquilla, who starts in midfield this evening. A languid playmaker, Carrasquilla is Panama's most gifted player and much of their creative burden will fall on his shoulders.
And here's the Panama starting XI
Team news for Panama as Thomas Christiansen makes two changes to the team that lost to Uruguay in their first fixture. Fajardo and Rodriguez drop out, Eduardo Guerrero and Cesar Blackman replace them.
Confirmed USMNT team news
Here's how the United States line up this evening. No changes from the team that beat Bolivia fairly comfortably in their group stage opener.
Christian Pulisic, a man on form, wears the armband for USMNT.
Behind the scenes in the USMNT locker room
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter got off to a winning start and will be eager to keep up the momentum against a Panama side that is far weaker than his own.
Keeping morale up is a key part of tournament soccer, with players thrown together for a months-long competition away from friends, family and their usual routines. WIth that in mind, US fans will be pleased to see Matt Turner and Tim Weah joking about a potential music career while chatting to reporters earlier this week.
USMNT stroll the turf in Atlanta
The US team have been in Atlanta, Georgia for a few days ahead of the Panama clash. The temperatures around Mercedes-Benz Stadium have been up in the 90s all week but have dropped slightly today, as you can see from Weston McKennie's hoodie and tracksuit pregame attire.
The United States cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bolivia in their Copa America opener but were beset by wasteful finishing in front of goal. Will Gregg Berhalter name an unchanged team or look to rotate his many attacking options?
Here's the USMNT team news ahead of tonight's game...
USMNT ready for physical Panama side
The United States go into today's game as clear favourites, but they come up against a team that will endeavour to make life difficult for Gregg Berhalter's side. The US head coach was asked about the combative nature of Panama and insisted that he was preapred for a battle.
"We don't shy away from physicality," Berhalter said at a press conference ahead of the game. "We like that in matches, and that's never a problem for us. For us, it's just about embracing whatever a particular match brings, and if it's physicality, we'll be fine, we'll be able to deal with that."
We'll be bringing you full live coverage of all the action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with kickoff now around 90 minutes away. We'll have full team news for USMNT and Panama shortly.
Before that, here's everything you need to know about Panama - USMNT...
Who's playing today in Copa America?
One week into the tournament and some of the groups are starting to take a clear shape. Tonight we have a double header from Group C as USMNT and Uruguay look to book their places in the quarter-finals of Copa America.
Wins for both teams would set up a fascinating group decider between the two next week.
First up, let's take a look back at the United States' opening game of the 2024 Copa America. It wasn't perfect, but Gregg Berhalter's side managed to quiet some of the pretournament noise with an assured performance against Bolivia...
The United States continue their Copa America campaign with a group stage clash against Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Gregg Berhalter's side wasted little time in their opening fixture against Bolivia, needing just three minutes for Christian Pulisic to fire USMNT into the lead with a 20-yard effort. But despite creating plenty of chances some profligate finishing meant that the US ended with a 2-0 win, a less impressive scoreline than their play deserved.
They'll be out to show a little more cutting edge against Panama, knowing that a win will see them through to the quarter-finals. I'm Will Gittins, and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of Panama - USMNT...