USA

United States men's national team bowed out of the ongoing Copa America 2024 after 0-1 loss against Uruguay on Monday (Jul 1). The US players, however, blasted match official Kevin Ortega for some very dubious calls made during the game.

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The frustration in US players, particularly captain Christian Pulisic, who was almost taunting Ortega to join Uruguay celebrations after the match.

Among the various decisions gone haywire during the match, one was the reason USMNT lost the game. It was in the 73rd minute of the game where two Uruguay players were offside after checking with the VAR but the goal was still allowed.

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After the match, Pulisic said: "Honestly, I mean, I saw things that I've never seen before, right in front of my eyes today, that truly I can't believe.." 

"It's not why we lost. We're not out of this tournament because of officiation. But really, I've just seen things that — really, I mean ... I don't know what I'm looking at, I don't know what they're calling, he gives no explanation, he's doing things that I just can't — I can't accept."

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Ortega also clearly wasn't pleased with the criticism and refused to shake hands with Pulisic after the match.

Pulisic's teammate Antonee Robinson also slammed the official and said: It was draining. The referee clearly doesn't have a clue what he's doing, doesn't know how to control the game ... This referee was awful. Never seen a referee let a quick free kick go while he's got a yellow card in hand. It's literally embarrassing. And [I] hope something happens to him from that."

Both the players, however, agreed that it wasn't officiating that they are now out of the tournament. The USA had lost against Panama 2-1 last week. The loss meant that the match against Uruguay became a do-or-die situation.