The United States Men's National Soccer Team was upset 2-1 by Panama in shocking, chaotic fashion in the second game of the Copa America group stage. The USMNT was at a disadvantage early on after winger Tim Weah earned a straight red card after shoving Panama defender Roderick Miller in the 18th minute.

Despite playing a man down, the US was able to get an early goal off of a long shot from striker Folarin Balogun.

After that goal, things began falling apart for the US.

Panama was able to quickly equalize on a short-range goal. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who picked up a knock early in the first half but remained in the game was replaced at halftime by Ethan Horvath. Then, after holding off a Panamanian man advantage for the majority of the match, Panama was able to get the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute despite the US having some key chances in the offensive zone and holding on even while picking up a red card of their own in the final minutes and closing the game on even-footing.

Weah, whose early red card put the US at a significant disadvantage, apologized to his teammates and fans via Instagram:

“Moving forward, I am committed to learning from this experience, not allowing an opponent to provoke me, and working to regain the trust and respect of my team and supporters,” Weah said. “No matter what I will always fight for my team and my country till the day I'm no longer needed or capable to! I sincerely apologize to everyone. My love for this team goes beyong just football and I'm so sad and angry at myself for putting my brothers through what they went through tonight.”

USMNT shocked by Panama in Copa America group stage

Panama players react after defeating the United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The United States will likely need a win against Uruguay in their final group stage match on Monday in order to secure to top-two finish in the group and advance, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.

Especially as the host nation, failing to advance out of a group with Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia would be a catastrophic failure for a USMNT team that many believe to be in their “golden generation” and is preparing to host the World Cup in two years.

US manager Gregg Berhalter, who reclaimed his position as head coach last year, was recently subject to calls for his job after a 5-1 loss to Colombia in a friendly leading up to Copa America. If the US crashes out of Copa America early, the United States Soccer Federation will be forced to have some very difficult conversations about whether or not they will keep Berhalter as their head coach heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Time is running out for the USMNT to get some real results. Their current core led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Weah, and Balogun needs to show that they can take care of business against weaker opponents like Panama and play up to some of the top teams in the world.

If Monday's match against Uruguay doesn't go the United States' way, Copa America will have been a complete failure.

The stakes could not be higher for Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT.