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US soccer star Tim Weah apologizes after costly red card for PUNCHING opponent in devastating Copa America loss to Panama: 'Today I let my team and my country down'
US Men's National Soccer Team star Tim Weah has issued an apology for the costly red card he received in Thursday's Copa America loss to Panama.
'Today I let my team and my country down,' Weah wrote on Instagram after hitting a Panamanian player in the back of the head, leading to his exit in just the 18th minute of play. 'A moment of frustration led to an irreversible consequence, and for that, I am deeply sorry to my teammates, coaches, family and our fans.'
Weah was sent off by Salvadoran referee Iván Barton with a straight red card for punching Roderick Miller in the back of the head. Barton initially withdrew the yellow card from his back pocket, but quickly replaced it with a red as Weah raised his arms and stormed off the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
A pro-American crowd of 59,145 was irate, especially after two other calls went against the host country in the 2-1 defeat.
It remains unclear why Weah decided to punch Miller.
Weah reacts after being sent off during the CONMEBOL Copa America on Thursday
Roderick Miller of Panama reacts after being fouled as the ref finds his red card for Weah
Weah's statement included a promise to make amends for his mistake.
'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,' he wrote.
'No matter what I will always fight for my team and my country till the day I'm no longer needed or capable to!!'
Weah also said he wanted to 'sincerely apologize to everyone.'
He concluded: 'My love for this team goes beyond just football and I'm so sad and angry at myself for putting my brothers through what they went through tonight.
The son of legendary Paris SG and AC Milan striker George Weah, Tim scored for the US in the 2022 Qatar and currently plays for Juventus. In total, the Brooklyn-born Weah has six goals over 41 appearances for the US.
Tim Weah of the United States leaves the field after receiving a red card against Panama
With the defeat, the US is now in danger of missing out on the quarterfinals.
Team USA plays Uruguay in its final group stage match on Monday.
US coach Gregg Berhalter praised his shorthanded team's effort, but the Americans — even with a raucous, pro-American crowd cheering them on — couldn't overcome Weah's blunder.
'The match-changing event is obviously the red card and it puts us in a tough spot,' Berhalter said. 'Tim got bumped. He got checked and he reacted. He apologized to the group and I think he understands what a difficult position he put the group in.
'We talked beforehand about the tendencies of this referee,' Berhalter said. 'We knew what he's capable of, and to be honest, I think we played right into his hands.'
The team's captain also commented on the blunder.
'Timmy knows the mistake he made. He's going to learn from it,' Christian Pulisic said. 'It's a lapse of judgment. It's just one simple second.'