ST. LOUIS — Tim Weah’s return significantly boosts the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT), offering him a chance to turn the page after a tumultuous summer. The pivotal question that lingers is: What if Weah, a fan-favorite and standout winger, hadn’t received that surprising red card in the first half of the critical match against Panama during last summer’s Copa América?
Had that incident not occurred, would the U.S. have advanced from the group stage as anticipated? Would former coach Gregg Berhalter still be leading the team? Although these questions remain unanswered, the likelihood is that the outcomes would have been favorable.
Instead, Berhalter lost his position due to the Copa disappointment. U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker swiftly appointed Mauricio Pochettino, a renowned manager with experience at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur, as his replacement.
Now, Weah is back with the national team for the first time since that challenging summer, having missed the September and October FIFA windows due to injury. Although he was suspended for the initial match of this month’s home-and-home series against Jamaica, he is set to play a crucial role in the rematch at City Park on Monday. This match is vital as the U.S. aims to advance to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. Four months after experiencing one of the most challenging moments of his international career, Weah finds an opportunity to move forward.
“No player wants that to happen,” Weah stated, addressing reporters for the first time since June regarding his tournament-disrupting expulsion. “It played a huge factor in why we didn’t go on.”
It took time for him to overcome the disappointment.
“He was devastated with what happened,” said Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, a fellow veteran. “He’s obviously looking forward to being back and showing what he can do.”
“It was tough,” Weah reflected. “Having the summer off helped me gain perspective, focusing on the positives and being there for my teammates while soaking in all the love from my family.”
“I didn’t pay much attention to the negative comments online, which helped,” he added. “We had this big dream for Copa, and it didn’t happen. That was the reality.”
A new reality is unfolding. Pochettino has infused optimism into a program that needed a boost, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching on home soil.
Without Weah, the U.S. team secured a victory in Pochettino’s first competitive away game last week in Kingston, Jamaica, entering Monday’s match with a 1-0 aggregate lead. With Weah’s return, they have a chance to advance to the final four next year.
“He had a couple of days of rest, so he should have fresh legs and didn’t have to deal with the humidity,” joked Weston McKennie, a midfielder and Weah’s club teammate at Juventus. “I think he’s going to help out a lot.”
Weah has been performing well for Juventus, scoring four goals in eight Serie A appearances this season, including one last weekend. His return to the right wing could allow Pochettino to move midfielder Yunus Musah back to the center, replacing Johnny Cardoso, who suffered an injury in the first leg.
“He’s a very good player, aggressive with the ball, fast, and has great stamina,” Pochettino said of Weah, who is still just 24. “He can make mistakes, and we need to help him learn and evolve. But he’s a clever player who brings positive energy to the group.”
Weah shares a positive rapport with Pochettino.
“He has an amazing connection with his players,” Weah remarked. “I’m excited to play for him and get to work.”
With the World Cup on the horizon, it’s time to move past the “What If” scenarios.
“Now we can focus on something else,” Weah concluded. “Something bigger.”
