Nightmare in Atlanta – Soccer America

The USA’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the Copa America suffered a serious blow when it fell to Panama 2-1 in Atlanta on Thursday night.

The complexion of the match turned on a red card to Tim Weah in the 18th minute. But the USA took a lead that it couldn’t hold four minutes, conceding goals in the 26th and 83rd minutes and losing to Panama outright for only the third time in 30 matches.

• What USA needs to do: The USA’s chances of advancing likely depend on beating Uruguay Monday night in Kansas City. But even a “signature win” everyone has been clamoring for from Coach Gregg Berhalter‘s team might not be enough if Panama blows out Bolivia in a match that will be played simultaneously in Orlando.

• The USA will advance if it does better against Uruguay than Panama does against Bolivia (ie. win vs. tie or loss, tie vs. loss).
• The USA will advance if both the USA and Panama tie.
• If both the USA and Panama win or both lose, who advances will depend on goal difference. (Current records: USA +1 with 3-2; Panama -1 with 3-4.)
• Panama will advance if it does better against Bolivia than the USA does against Uruguay.

• What They’re Saying: “I think we had a good start to the game,” Berhalter said. “We got the goal; it got called back. But the match-changing event is obviously the red card, and it puts us in a tough spot but we expected that from them. “I can’t fault the effort of the group, especially after going down a man,” Berhalter added. “The guys dug in and we were close to coming out with a point. But it’s a shame, because there was more in this game, and a silly decision by Timmy leaves us short-handed. (Post-game press conference)

Group D standings:
1. Uruguay6 points (8-1)
2. USA3 points (3-2)
3. Panama3 points (3-4)
4. Bolivia0 points (0-7)