US soccer star Tim Weah apologizes after costly red card for PUNCHING opponent in devastating Copa America loss to Panama: 'Today I let my team and my country down'

US Men's National Soccer Team star Tim Weah has issued an apology for the costly red card he received in Thursday's Copa America loss to Panama.

'Today I let my team and my country down,' Weah wrote on Instagram after hitting a Panamanian player in the back of the head, leading to his exit in just the 18th minute of play. 'A moment of frustration led to an irreversible consequence, and for that, I am deeply sorry to my teammates, coaches, family and our fans.'

Weah was sent off by Salvadoran referee Iván Barton with a straight red card for punching Roderick Miller in the back of the head. Barton initially withdrew the yellow card from his back pocket, but quickly replaced it with a red as Weah raised his arms and stormed off the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

A pro-American crowd of 59,145 was irate, especially after two other calls went against the host country in the 2-1 defeat.

It remains unclear why Weah decided to punch Miller.  

Weah's statement included a promise to make amends for his mistake. 

'Moving forward, I am committed to learning from this experience, not allowing an opponent to provoke me, and working to regain the trust and respect of my team and supporters,' he wrote.

'No matter what I will always fight for my team and my country till the day I'm no longer needed or capable to!!'

Weah also said he wanted to 'sincerely apologize to everyone.'

He concluded: 'My love for this team goes beyond just football and I'm so sad and angry at myself for putting my brothers through what they went through tonight.

The son of legendary Paris SG and AC Milan striker George Weah, Tim scored for the US in the 2022 Qatar and currently plays for Juventus. In total, the Brooklyn-born Weah has six goals over 41 appearances for the US.

With the defat, the US is now in danger of missing out on the quarterfinals.

Team USA plays Uruguay in its final group stage match on Monday.