While the U.S. national team has made no excuses for its 1-0 loss to Uruguay that knocked them out of the Copa America, many fans and analysts are placing part of the blame on referee Kevin Ortega.
His post-match behaviour with US star Christian Pulisic further exacerbated his situation.
Pulisic and several other U.S. players continued to criticize referee Ortega, who was described as inexperienced for a match of this magnitude, throughout the 90-plus minutes on the pitch due to questionable fouls and a lack of control.
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United States No. 10 Christian Pulisic argues with referee Kevin Ortega during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between the United States and Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Sean Clark/Getty Images)
After the match, Pulisic reached out to shake hands with the on-field officials and appeared to make further comments towards Ortega, but the official refused to shake Pulisic’s hand when he extended it.
That resulted in Pulisic hurling more words at the referee and sticking his index finger in his face before walking down the line to shake hands with the final official.
Another angle of the video can be seen Pulisic gesturing towards the referee and pointing at the Uruguay players celebrating, implying that the officials were favouring the opposing team during the match.
Pulisic remained respectable after the game when speaking with Fox Sports reporter Jenny Taft, saying he didn’t want to discuss Ortega’s decisions but did say he was “frustrated” by the entire game.
Teammate Antonee Robinson tried to do the same, but ended up calling Ortega’s officiating an “amateur job.” The USMNT had good reason to say so.
USA crashes out of Copa America after heartbreaking defeat to Uruguay
Fans were also outraged by Ortega’s behavior after the match.
“Wow @CONMEBOL you chose this man to represent you. This referee has zero integrity. Actions speak louder than words,” commented one X user.
Another added: “An utter disgrace.”
Referee Kevin Ortega gestures during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between United States and Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Sean Clark/Getty Images)
From the start of the match, the United States had the upper hand on the pitch, but continued to commit fouls on their attacks, and Fox Sports commentator Stu Holden said on air that while the fouls were not serious enough to warrant a yellow card for Ortega, he should have done so immediately, as Uruguay were deliberately fouling to thwart the United States’ dominance in front of goal.
Late in the first half, Ortega’s worst refereeing call of the night was a foul by U.S. defender Chris Richards in a tackle on a Uruguayan attacker that was clearly a foul, but Ortega thought the foul was severe enough to warrant a yellow card from his pocket.
But meanwhile, Uruguay was quickly placing the ball and passing forward, and while players usually restart play immediately after a general foul, Ortega’s yellow card meant play was halted until he blew the whistle.
But Ortega let play continue. U.S. defender Tim Ream had to make a miraculous stop on a potential Uruguayan cross that would have led to a goal, and Ortega allowed play to continue with a throw-in after Ream’s kick went out of bounds, so the goal likely would have stood.
All were furious with Ortega, who even showed captain Tyler Adams a yellow card early in the first half after he had been stepped on in the ankle chasing the ball, resulting in both players falling to the ground.
Uruguay’s only goal of the night also appeared to be narrowly offside when Matias Olivera was scored, but it was not Ortega who checked the video before ultimately deciding to allow the goal.
In the second half, U.S. players were constantly arguing with Ortega and especially Pulisic, leaving the team in a desperate situation needing a 2-1 win to advance to the Copa America knockout stages.
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In added time, a Uruguayan player appeared to hit Pulisic’s leg from behind as he attempted a shot. Pulisic had hit the ball first before that happened, but he was furious and ran towards Ortega after his second-chance shot went over the net. Ortega yelled back at Pulisic, but teammate Ricardo Pepi had to push Pulisic away to stop things from getting any worse.
In the end, 12 fouls were called on each team, with the USA receiving two yellow cards and Uruguay receiving one.
But Ortega’s lack of class after the fight infuriated fans on social media, with some calling for an investigation into whether Ortega had engaged in cheating.
Peruvian referee Ortega has been registered as an international FIFA referee since 2019. But controversy has been brewing around him since before the match, with football fans pointing this out even before the first whistle had even been blown.
USA No. 10 Christian Pulisic yells at referee Kevin Ortega during the second half of a game against Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on July 1, 2024. (John Doughton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
In the 2022 Copa Libertadores, Ortega awarded a controversial penalty to lead Boca Juniors to a victory over Club Always Ready. Bolivian police searched Ortega’s refereeing desk after the match and found several Boca Juniors shirts that had been given to Ortega before the match.
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Boca Juniors argued that it was customary to give gifts to referees as a sign of respect, but Always Ready accused Ortega of favouritism.
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