Gregg Berhalter hit out at a "silly" mistake from Timothy Weah after his red card in a 2-1 defeat to Panama put the United States' place in the Copa America at risk.
Having opened their home campaign with a 2-0 win over Bolivia, the USA slipped to a surprise defeat in their second match in Atlanta, leaving them likely needing a result against Uruguay on matchday three to progress.
The tournament hosts played over 70 minutes with 10 men after Weah lashed out at Amir Murillo, and they were unable to force a late equaliser after Adalberto Carrasquilla also saw red for Panama.
After the game, Berhalter said Weah's actions were costly but also suggested Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton was always poised to make a big decision.
"We talked beforehand about the tendencies of this referee, we knew what he's capable of and to be honest I think we played right into his hands," Berhalter said.
"We made that decision pretty easy. Tim got bumped, he got checked and he reacted.
!He apologised to the group and he understands what a difficult position he put the group in.
"Nonetheless, it happened and as a result we lost this game and we're going to have to move on and figure out how to win the next game.
"The guys dug in and we were close to coming out with a point. But it's a shame, because there was more in this game, and a silly decision by Timmy leaves us short-handed."
Forward Christian Pulisic echoed his coach's sentiments, saying: "Timmy knows the mistake he made.
"That's it. He's going to learn from it. It sucks. It's not the way you want to put your team in that position.
"It hurts. Just the minimum, it's a lapse of judgement. It's just one simple second, you respond to something."
Douglas Luiz completes €50m Juventus transfer
Juventus have completed the signing of Brazil international Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa.
Luiz was a pivotal feature in Unai Emery's midfield last season, as Villa qualified for the Champions League.
However, the club required sales in order to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
Villa have sold youngsters Tim Iroegbunam and Omari Kellyman to Everton and Chelsea respectively, with winger Lewis Dobbin signing from the Toffees and full-back Ian Maatsen joining from the Blues.
Luiz, though, was always likely to be the big sale Villa required to get over the line, and that deal, worth €50million (£42m) has now gone through.
The 26-year-old, who is on international duty with Brazil at the Copa America, has signed a five-year deal with Juve.
In return, Villa are expected to sign Juve youngsters Samuel Iling-Junior and midfielder Enzo Barrenechea in a separate deal worth up to £18.6m (€22m).
They have also been linked with a move for Luton Town's Ross Barkley, who played for the Villans in the 2020-21 season.
Over the past two league campaigns, Luiz has created the most chances (98), teed up the most shots from a set-piece (42), made the most interceptions (63) and tackles (130) of any player in Villa's squad.
Spalletti still searching for answers but will stay on as Italy coach
Luciano Spalletti has said Italian fans have not seen the best he can offer yet after it was confirmed he would remain as Azzurri coach.
And the former Napoli boss promised that he will continue to freshen up Italy's squad, adding he has not been given the answers he wanted from the selection he made for Euro 2024.
Italy put in a poor display as they lost 2-0 to Switzerland on Saturday, with the holders crashing out of the tournament having managed just one win from their four games.
But on Sunday, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina reiterated the organisation's backing of Spalletti, who replaced Roberto Mancini last year.
"We have nothing to hide, but we must continue to take responsibility," Gravina said, as quoted by Football Italia.
"There was a long chat with the coach yesterday and I think that it is unthinkable to solve the problems by abandoning a multi-year project after eight to nine months.
"Central to our project is a coach who has been here for nine to 10 months, who has not always had all the players available."
Spalletti's task will be to guide Italy to the 2026 World Cup, with the Azzurri having failed to qualify for the last two editions of that competition.
But the 65-year-old wants to do that by "rejuvenating" Italy's squad.
The Azzurri had the fifth-youngest squad at Euro 2024, with an average age of 26 years and 348 days when the tournament began.
"Yesterday's match took us back down to zero and we'll start again from there," he said.
"I will rejuvenate this squad and try to create a group. I wasn't given the answers I was looking for regarding leadership. The future will be younger with new energy and strength."
Spalletti added: "You haven't seen [the best of me] over these 10 months.
"I was told that I raised the intensity in training too much, that I told fairytales to motivate the players, but that's my life. You always need examples to follow otherwise there is no path to follow.
"I came in when there was an immediate urgency for results and given what was required, we were looking good up to a certain point. We were unable to grow in this mini-journey we took yesterday, we took a significant step backwards and that cannot be accepted. But we will start again from there. I know what to do and I will put it into practice."
Barcelona elect against keeping Joao Felix as Joao Cancelo returns to Man City
Barcelona have confirmed the departures of Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo.
Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid's record signing, joined Barca on loan last season, while Cancelo, his compatriot, joined from Manchester City on a similar deal.
Joao Felix played 44 times in all competitions for the Blaugrana. He scored 10 goals and provided six assists.
Reports this week suggested new Barca coach Hansi Flick was keen to keep hold of Joao Felix, but for now the attacker will return to his parent club.
Barca confirmed the news on Sunday, the final day of Joao Felix's loan contract.
Cancelo's departure was also announced. Reports suggest Barca are, as it stands, unwilling to meet City's asking price for the full-back.
Both he and Joao Felix are currently representing Portugal at Euro 2024.
Barca also announced that former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso would be leaving the club on the expiration of his deal.
The Blaugrana finished second in LaLiga in 2023-24.
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