Tim Weah is back with the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) after facing a red card incident that led to his suspension during the Copa América. This ejection, which occurred when he punched Panama defender Roderick Miller, played a significant role in the team’s early exit from the tournament and coincided with the coaching shift from Gregg Berhalter to Mauricio Pochettino.
At the time of Weah’s dismissal, the U.S. was leading 1-0 but ultimately fell 2-1, leaving them short-handed on the field. His two-game suspension meant he missed a crucial group-stage match against Uruguay, which ended in a 1-0 loss, as well as the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica, where the U.S. secured a 1-0 victory. Now, the 24-year-old winger is set to return for the second leg of the total-goal series on Monday night.
“Everything that needed to be said was said straight after that Panama game,” remarked Tim Ream, the 37-year-old defender and captain under Pochettino. “He understood his mistake without needing to be reprimanded. That awareness shows his maturity and the strength of our team dynamic. You could see the weight of it on his face as we returned from that match.”
Tim Weah, the son of former FIFA Player of the Year and Liberia’s ex-president George Weah, has made a notable impact in Serie A this season, scoring four goals in eight matches for Juventus.
“He’s a very good player—aggressive, fast, and skilled,” Pochettino stated on Sunday. “While he’s still young and prone to mistakes, it’s essential for us to support his growth. His intelligence on the field is impressive, and his positive energy is infectious for the team.”
Weah’s absence from Pochettino’s initial matches, including friendlies against Panama and Mexico, was due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Pochettino shared, “I faced George Weah several times and want to see if Tim possesses the same character. His father was phenomenal, and competing against him was always a challenge.”
With six goals in 41 appearances for the U.S., Tim Weah also made his mark at the 2022 World Cup, starting all four matches and scoring in the opening draw against Wales.
“Being away from the last two camps has likely been tougher for him than anything else,” Ream noted. “Having him back is refreshing; he’s playing freely, training hard, and bringing that joyful spirit back to the team.”
The winner of the quarterfinal will move on to the semifinal on March 20 in Inglewood, California. Historically, the U.S. has dominated the tournament, winning its first three editions.
Pochettino has also been proactive in encouraging players who are not getting enough minutes at their European clubs to consider Major League Soccer (MLS) during the January transfer window, highlighting that the league is a viable platform for competition, as evidenced by Lionel Messi’s recent move. He typically conducts a January training camp with MLS players.
“We have discussions with them about the need to stay competitive at their clubs,” he explained. “Some players inquire if MLS is a good option for their development.”
