Whereas Workforce USA didn’t make any excuses for the way they acquired knocked out of Copa América with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, many followers and analysts are throwing a few of the blame on referee Kevin Ortega.
He did not assist his trigger after what he did following the match in opposition to Workforce USA star Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic and several other different USMNT gamers have been jawing at Ortega, who was labeled an inexperienced referee for a match of this magnitude, all through the 90-plus minutes on the pitch after questionable fouls and lack of controlling play.
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Christian Pulisic, #10 of the USA, argues with referee Kevin Ortega through the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between the USA and Uruguay at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Shaun Clark/Getty Photographs)
After the match, Pulisic went as much as the officers standing on the pitch to shake their arms, and although he did appear to be tossing extra phrases Ortega’s manner, the referee refused to shake Pulisic’s hand when he put it out in entrance of him.
That led to Pulisic hurling extra phrases his manner, lifting his finger in his face earlier than transferring down the road to shake the final referee’s hand.
A separate angle of the video seems to point out Pulisic gesturing towards the referees and pointing on the Uruguay gamers celebrating, insinuating that the officers favored the opponent through the match.
Pulisic additionally took the excessive street when he spoke with Fox Sports activities’ Jenny Taft after the match, saying he didn’t wish to converse on Ortega’s calls, although he did say it was “irritating” all through.
His teammate, Antonee Robinson, tried to do the identical factor, however finally known as Ortega’s officiating “newbie hour,” and the USMNT had good motive to say so.
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Followers have been additionally enraged by what they witnessed with Ortega after the match.
“Wow @CONMEBOL that is the person you picked to characterize you. Zero class from this ref. Actions do converse louder than phrases,” one X person commented.
One other added: “An absolute shame.”
Referee Kevin Ortega gestures through the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group C match between the USA and Uruguay at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Shaun Clark/Getty Photographs)
From the beginning of the match, the U.S. was the higher staff on the pitch, however fouls repeatedly occurred whereas they have been on the offensive. Fox Sports activities analyst Stu Holden was heard saying through the broadcast that regardless of the fouls not seeming extreme sufficient for a yellow card to be pulled out of Ortega’s pocket, he ought to do it quickly as a result of Uruguay was fouling on objective to forestall a U.S. benefit towards the web.
Later within the first half, Ortega’s worst officiating transfer of the evening got here on a problem by U.S. defender Chris Richards, who tackled a Uruguay attacker, which was a transparent foul. Ortega, although, believed the foul extreme sufficient to take the yellow card out of his pocket.
Nevertheless, as that was happening, Uruguay rapidly put the ball down and began to play it ahead. Whereas it’s common for gamers to renew play rapidly after widespread fouls, the yellow card pulled by Ortega meant a stoppage in play till he blew his whistle.
Nevertheless, Ortega let play proceed on. U.S. defender Tim Ream needed to miraculously cease a cross try from Uruguay that might have resulted in a purpose, and since Ortega had play continued with a throw in after Ream’s kick was out of bounds, a purpose doubtless would have stood.
Everybody was livid with Ortega, who issued a yellow card earlier within the half to captain Tyler Adams regardless of his ankle getting stepped on whereas charging after the ball, resulting in each gamers hitting the turf.
There was additionally Uruguay’s lone purpose of the evening, when it appeared Matthias Olivera might need been barely offsides. Nevertheless, Ortega was not the one viewing the tape when he finally known as for the purpose to face.
Within the second half, the U.S. gamers have been repeatedly jawing with Ortega, particularly Pulisic, whereas the staff was in desperation mode, needing a 2-1 win to advance to the knockout stage of Copa América.
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In stoppage time, whereas making an attempt a shot, a Uruguay participant appeared to hit Pulisic’s foot from behind. Although Pulisic did hit the ball first earlier than that occurred, he was livid, sprinting over to Ortega after his second probability shot flew over the web. Ortega barked again at Pulisic, who wanted to be pushed away by teammate Ricardo Pepi so issues didn’t escalate additional.
Ultimately, 12 fouls have been known as in opposition to every staff, although the U.S. acquired two yellow playing cards known as in opposition to them to Uruguay’s one.
Nevertheless, Ortega’s lack of sophistication after the match enraged followers throughout social media, who introduced up requires an investigation into whether or not Ortega was corrupt within the course of.
Ortega, a Peruvian referee, has been listed as a global referee for FIFA since 2019. Nevertheless, controversy has surrounded him previous to this match, and it was one thing soccer followers identified earlier than the primary whistle blew.
Christian Pulisic, #10 of the USA, yells at referee Kevin Ortega through the second half in opposition to Uruguay at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (John Dorton/ISI Pictures/USSF/Getty Photographs for USSF)
In the course of the 2022 Copa Libertadores, he awarded a controversial penalty to Boca Juniors, resulting in a victory over Membership All the time Prepared. Bolivian police ended up looking out Ortega’s referee sales space after the sport and located a number of Boca Junior shirts they’d given him earlier than the sport.
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Boca Juniors stated that it was customary to present the presents as a gesture to the referee, whereas All the time Prepared accused Ortega of favoring their opponent.
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