Compilation of some of the most controversial refereeing moments from USA’s match vs Uruguay ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XHwv9B5YfL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024Who is Kevin Ortega?
Ortega, a 32-year-old referee, made his top-flight debut back in 2015. He’s been a fixture in domestic club competitions, regularly making appearances at the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa Libertadores, South America’s two biggest club tournaments.
By comparison, he’s presided over just seven senior international matches in his career — including Monday’s clash.
MORE: USMNT fans frustrated by camera angle during Uruguay match
Ortega has stayed out of the spotlight for the most part over the course of his top-flight career. He did make waves back in 2022, however, after being discovered to have Boca Juniors jerseys in his possession. Ortega’s possession came to light after he awarded what was deemed a soft penalty to Boca Juniors in a fervent clash with Bolivian side Always Ready.
Despite the optics of the situation, it’s important to remember that referees are often offered match uniforms after games as a gesture of goodwill by the sides for which they have officiated.
Kevin Ortega makes multiple questionable calls in USA vs. Uruguay
The official at the heart of the USA vs. Uruguay match was in the spotlight right from the start and failed to adjudicate himself at any subsequent point. Owing further to the controversy was that nearly all his questionable decisions went against the United States, many of them errors so simple, it left fans baffled as to what they were witnessing.
Just 17 minutes in, he showed U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams a yellow card for a simple 50-50 coming together, leaving Adams bewildered.
Then, in the 32nd minute, the most egregious moment of the game took place. Ortega blew his whistle to stop the match and show a yellow card to Chris Richards. However, Uruguay attempted to restart play while the referee was in the process of issuing his caution, and instead of taking hold of the match, he panicked and waved play on for advantage while still holding the yellow card in his hand.
The official pulls out a yellow card and then proceeds to allow Uruguay to play on 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8CSLusQCiv
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
It continued moments later, seemingly in direct contrast to that egregious error, as Ortega stopped play for a handball on Uruguay despite the fact Christian Pulisic was running one-on-one up the right touchline about to create a counter-attack opportunity where playing advantage was the obvious decision.
After the match, Christian Pulisic went to shake the official’s hand, but Ortega refused to comply, stonewalling Pulisic which made the U.S. captain visibly upset.
The referee refusing to shake Pulisic’s hand pic.twitter.com/i2U01tlYE1
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) July 2, 2024
However, a closer examination of the full incident did seem to show Pulisic motion to the referee to go celebrate with the Uruguay players shortly before attempting to shake their hand.
Uruguay’s controversial offside goal vs. USA, explained
The USMNT were pegged back early in the second half, conceding a goal to La Celeste defender Matias Olivera, who connected with the rebound off a save generated by Ronald Araujo’s set-piece header.
This was somehow not ruled offside after review 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Oh2Xn9Z7bK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
Olivera’s goal effectively took the life out of the American side. However, the Uruguayan left back looked to be clearly offside when Araujo played his header.
MORE: How VAR confirmed Matias Olivera opener to doom USMNT at Copa America
Ortega deliberated with VAR officials for quite a while, appearing likely to overturn his previous call. Yet somehow, it was confirmed as a legal goal, giving Uruguay a 1-0 advantage it wouldn’t relinquish.
Source link : https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/kevin-ortega-referee-copa-america-usa-uruguay-controversy/edd36ba2aa584dc4497fa4a1
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Publish date : 2024-07-02 00:11:42
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