KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. males’s nationwide workforce was formally knocked out of the 2024 Copa América on Monday evening after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
However as the sport ended, a tough second between American captain Christian Pulisic and the official completely encapsulated how annoyed they had been with how the match at Arrowhead Stadium was run.
Pulisic was seen nearly taunting official Kevin Ortega whereas attempting to encourage him to go rejoice with Uruguay on the sector. Then, after Pulisic shook a line decide’s hand, Ortega refused to comply with swimsuit.
props to Reddit on this, Fox Soccer edited this video exhibiting Pulisic was gesturing to the refs to go rejoice with the Uruguay workforce however the lower off the start as a result of they clearly are feeding off the offended sentiment, get these impressions and craft the narrative https://t.co/M6w75yLawd pic.twitter.com/a3Nzpe4UEQ
— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) July 2, 2024
“Yeah, he would not shake my hand,” Pulisic mentioned postgame. “However it’s regular. I imply, I assume.”
Whereas there’s loads of calls Monday that may very well be criticized, honest or in any other case, there have been two major situations of questionable moments with the officiating within the match. Certainly one of them led to Uruguay’s solely purpose.
Within the second half, Uruguay’s Mathías Olivera was simply barely onsides when he scored, which was confirmed by a video evaluation. Within the second when Fox announcers had been speaking via the replay, nevertheless, it gave the impression to be clear that he was one in all two gamers offsides — which might have negated the purpose.
Within the first half, there was a second the place Ortega known as for a foul however then remarkably let play proceed on. Ortega known as a foul on U.S. defender Chris Richards and clearly pulled out a yellow card to make his name, however then all of a sudden put it away whereas Uruguay carried on and practically scored a purpose. Tim Ream managed to scramble again and clear the ball, however the remainder of the U.S. workforce had stopped play when Ortega first made his name.
Pulisic’s frustration appeared to boil over within the closing moments of the match. He was seen screaming at Ortega and following him round after not getting a name in stoppage time.
“Actually, I imply, I noticed issues that I’ve by no means seen earlier than, proper in entrance of my eyes at this time, that actually I am unable to consider,” Pulisic mentioned. “It isn’t why we misplaced. We’re not out of this match due to officiation. However actually, I’ve simply seen issues that — actually, I imply … I do not know what I am taking a look at, I do not know what they’re calling, he offers no clarification, he is doing issues that I simply cannot — I am unable to settle for.”
Pulisic wasn’t alone in criticizing the officiating after the match, both. Antonee Robinson additionally ripped the referees, particularly when it got here to the yellow card incident within the first half.
“It was draining,” Robinson mentioned. “The referee clearly would not have a clue what he is doing, would not know management the sport … This referee was terrible. By no means seen a referee let a fast free kick go whereas he is obtained a yellow card in hand. It is actually embarrassing. And [I] hope one thing occurs to him from that.”
As each Pulisic and Robinson famous, the USA’ exit from the match didn’t come right down to officiating alone. They fell 2-1 to Panama final week earlier in group play, which made the match towards Uruguay just about a must-win.
However with a number of questionable moments and the handshake incident on the finish, it’s no marvel Pulisic and others had been upset by the officers on Monday evening.