South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) confirmed to ESPN that U.S. men’s national team forward Tim Weah will be suspended for an additional match and fined $3,000 after receiving a red card in the Copa America match against Panama.
Weah was sent off in the 18th minute of the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-1 loss to Panama on Thursday for delivering an outstretched jab at the back of Panama defender Roderick Miller’s head.
Weah was slated to miss Monday’s crucial final group game against Uruguay due to an automatic one-match suspension for his red card. On Saturday, CONMEBOL added another match to the suspension, meaning Weah will miss the quarterfinals if the U.S. advances in the Copa America.
“I’m fine, I’m just a little depressed about the situation,” Ware told Fox’s Jenny Taft on Saturday. “It was never my intention to put my team in this situation. I feel like I’m being portrayed as a violent person, when I’m not a violent person, and I feel that’s very tough.”
“And it really hurts to see my brothers have to take different paths to reach our main goal.”
Ware was ejected Thursday after a video review following an off-ball incident while trying to evade Miller’s defense.
The game was scoreless at the time of the sending off. Four minutes after the red card, Folarin Balogun put the U.S. ahead, but the U.S. conceded an equalizer a few minutes later. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter switched to a 5-3-1 formation in the second half to try to protect the lead, but Panama’s Jose Fajardo broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute to give Panama the three points.
Panama was also reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Adalberto Carrasquilla was sent off for a reckless tackle on U.S. men’s national team captain Christian Pulisic.
After the game, Berhalter called Ware’s actions a “stupid decision” and said he had apologized to the team. Ware also publicly apologized on his Instagram account.
“We had talked about this officiating tendency beforehand and we knew what he was going to do and, quite frankly, I think we played into his hands,” Berhalter told reporters at his news conference. “And I think we made that decision easily. Tim was bumped, he was checked and he reacted. I think he apologizes to the team and understands that he put the team in a difficult position.”
“But still, it happened and in the end we lost the game. We have to move on and think about how to win the next game.”
The loss to Panama puts the U.S. in danger of being eliminated from the group stage at home in the only major tournament before the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. A loss or draw against Uruguay on Monday would mean the U.S. would need Bolivia’s help against Panama to advance. The U.S. could still not advance even if it beats Uruguay if Panama beats Uruguay to close the goal difference. The U.S. currently has a +2 goal difference advantage.
“I’m just here to push them and do what I was doing before, to energize the team, keep the mood going and make sure everybody has a smile on their face, I think that’s the most important thing,” Ware told Fox. “I wish them the best and I’ll be there through everything, supporting them and making sure they stay calm.”
He continued: “I’m just going to do my best to be with the team, be intentional and supportive of the players, I think that’s the most important thing, and then, of course, I just pray that they get the job done.”
