Panama’s Jose Fajardo scored against backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 83rd minute, securing a 2-1 victory over the United States at the Copa America on Thursday night. This loss places the Americans at risk of elimination if they fail to beat Uruguay in their first-round finale.
The U.S. team played almost the entire match with ten players following Tim Weah’s foul in the 18th minute. Despite being short-handed, Folarin Balogun put the U.S. ahead in the 22nd minute, but César Blackman equalized for Panama in the 26th minute.
Horvath, who stepped in for the injured Matt Turner at halftime, could not stop Fajardo’s close-range shot. This victory marks Panama’s third win in 27 meetings with the U.S.
The U.S., which began the tournament with a win against Bolivia, likely needs a victory over 15-time champion Uruguay on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri, to finish among the top two teams in Group C and secure a quarterfinal spot.
Panama, having lost 3-1 to Uruguay, will play Bolivia next. Bolivia entered Thursday night’s match against Uruguay with 13 consecutive Copa America losses.
Failing to advance from this crucial pre-2026 World Cup test could prompt questions about coach Gregg Berhalter’s future.
Weston McKennie’s fifth-minute goal for the U.S. was disallowed for offside. Panama also ended the game a man short after Adalberto Carrasquilla received a red card in the 88th minute for a foul on Christian Pulisic. The U.S. team, including Horvath, made a desperate attempt to equalize, but Panama maintained their lead.
Turner exited the game with a bruised leg, and Horvath played his first match for club or country since May 4.
Weah received a straight red card from Salvadoran referee Iván Barton for punching Roderick Miller in the back of the head. The American crowd of 59,145 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was incensed, particularly after two other contentious calls against their team.
Chris Richards’ header from Pulisic’s corner was deflected off the crossbar by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. A video review determined that Tim Ream was offside when he passed the ball to McKennie, who scored from near the penalty spot.
Blackman did not receive a card for a 12th-minute collision with Turner, who landed awkwardly and required medical attention.
Balogun’s goal came after a poor clearance. Antonee Robinson dribbled into the penalty area and passed to Balogun, who exchanged passes with Robinson before curling a shot off the far post and into the net for his fifth goal in 14 appearances.
Blackman tied the match in the 26th minute, dribbling around Robinson and shooting through Richards’ legs, just beyond Turner’s reach.
Berhalter made three substitutions at the start of the second half.
A video review in the 63rd minute overturned a penalty awarded to Panama after Cameron Carter-Vickers was initially penalized for taking down Fajardo. The review showed Fajardo had already crossed the ball before contact was made.
