"Easy" for USMNT to have Tim Weah back after Copa America red card
Yesterday at 10:35 AM
It’s been close to five months since Tim Weah represented the U.S. men’s national team and with the winger riding one of his best individual runs of form, his teammates are excited to have him back.
Weah missed the USMNT’s 1-0 CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg on Thursday due to suspension. The Juventus winger was forced to miss the match after receiving a red card in the USMNT’s 2-1 Copa America group stage loss to Panama last June.
CONCACAF handed down a two-match suspension for Weah, who also missed the Americans’ 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their group stage finale last summer, a result that eliminated the USMNT from the competition and ultimately ended Gregg Berhalter’s second spell as head coach.
Hamstring and ankle injuries forced Weah to miss the September and October international windows, but the 24-year-old has recovered nicely by scoring three goals in his last five club appearances for the Bianconeri.
With Weah set for his first involvement under Mauricio Pochettino in Monday’s second leg in St. Louis, veteran defender Tim Ream admitted not much has been said about Weah’s disappointing exit from the Copa America.
“I don’t think there’s been too much discussion in this camp at all regarding that situation,” Ream told media when asked about Weah’s red card vs. Panama. “And obviously, emotions run high and situations happen in games. But I think everything that needed to be said was said straight after that Panama game.
“That’s not even dressing him down and yelling at him or telling him that he’s messed up,” he added. “He knew that himself, and that’s the sign of somebody who understands their role. It’s the sign of a good group of a good team that we didn’t have to.”
Weah’s return is a welcomed boost for the USMNT, who rode an early Ricardo Pepi goal in Thursday’s 1-0 victory. Injuries to Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Gio Reyna have limited the amount of attacking options for Pochettino to call on for the two-legged series.
Whether Weah jumps back into the starting lineup or comes off the bench remains to be seen, but the USMNT is happy to have the 24-year-old back regardless.
“You could see it on his face from the minute we walked in inside from that game.” Ream said. “So I mean, easy for us to have him back, easy for him to just jump back in and be with the group and be with the guys. It’s probably been harder for him being away from the last two camps than anything.”
