USMNT Loses to Panama: Full Group Results Ahead of KO Bracket for 2024 Copa America

After beating Bolivia in its first match of Copa América, the United States men's national team fell to Panama 2-1 on Thursday.

The United States struck early with a goal in the 22nd minute from Folarin Balogun, but Panama managed to even things up before the end of the first 45 minutes. The two teams had an eventful second half leading up to Panama putting one through the net in the 83rd minute to make it a 2-1 game.

With very little time to respond to Panama's goal, the United States fell short of evening things up before the final whistle.

The United States is now tied for first at three points in Group C and will likely need a win over Uruguay to advance to the knockout rounds. Uruguay plays Bolivia on Thursday night.

Here's a look at the group standings following Thursday's action:

---

Group A

1. Argentina - 6 points
2. Canada - 3 points
3. Chile - 1 point
4. Peru - 1 point

Group B

1. Venezuela - 6 points
2. Ecuador - 3 points
3. Mexico - 3 points
4. Jamaica - 0 points

Group C

1. Uruguay - 6 points
2. Panama - 3 points
3. United States - 3 points
4. Bolivia - 0 points

Group D

1. Colombia - 3 points
2. Brazil - 1 point
3. Costa Rica - 1 point
4. Paraguay - 0 points

---

The USMNT hurt itself early on after Tim Weah picked up a red card in just the 18th minute. Playing with just 10 men on the field for most of the match made defeating Panama an entirely different task.

Even with Weah's red card, the United States seemed capable of winning after Balogun's impressive goal. The goal for Balogun was his second of the tournament as he also put one in the net against Bolivia on Wednesday.

Two questionable decisions from the officials in the first half didn't help the United States' cause:

The United States had its fair share of chances to take the lead in the second half, but it never managed to capitalize.

Unable to find the net late in the match, the United States had no choice but to keep Panama from scoring through the final 10 minutes, but was unable to do so.

The officials called Panama for a red card in the 88th minute, giving the United States one last chance to make a push for an equalizer while facing just 10 men, but it never found the goal it was looking for.

The mistakes piled on for the United States on Thursday, and it couldn't make up for the errors as it fell 2-1.

After the loss, fans criticized both the team and head coach Gregg Berhalter for falling short in what should have been a manageable game.

The United States will face Uruguay on Monday and might need a win to advance. The USMNT will need to put the loss behind it and bring its best effort to the match to keep its hopes of advancing to the knockout round alive.