Weah's Offside Moment

 A Crucial Turn in the USA-Panama Match

During a promising USA attack, Tim Weah's offside position proved pivotal in a frustrating match against Panama. As the Americans sought to break through Panama's resolute defense, the sequence began with a deliberate build-up from the back, shifting from Chris Richards to Tim Ream across the center-back positions.

Weah, operating from the left wing, appeared to time his run as Ream prepared to deliver a long diagonal ball toward the corner. Weah was offside as the ball was rotated, and even though he was looking across the line, the winger never came back onside, and replays confirmed he had strayed approximately one yard beyond the last defender when Ream struck the ball with his left foot. This marginal misjudgment proved costly.

In the 24th minute, this offside call nullified what would have been the match's only goal. Weah had reached the cross and centered it to McKennie, who intelligently laid it off for Sargent to finish emphatically. The celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag, correctly identifying Weah's initial position.

This disallowed goal represented the Americans' best opportunity in a match where they dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances against Panama's organized defensive structure. Though Weah grew increasingly influential in the second half with his direct running, that early offside decision ultimately epitomized the team's frustrations under Pochettino's leadership.