The U.S. men’s soccer team was eliminated from the Copa America tournament Monday after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, but controversy followed after the final whistle when referee Kenny Ortega refused to shake hands with U.S. captain Christian Pulisic.
The match featured several controversial calls, including a yellow card for American Tyler Adams and a questionable whistle that killed an American counterattack.
“It’s not why we lost; we’re not out of this tournament because of officiating. But really, I’ve just seen things that … I don’t know what they’re calling. … He gives no explanation. He’s doing things that I just can’t accept,” Pulisic told reporters after the game. “He wouldn’t shake my hand. It’s normal — I mean, I guess.”
The game’s lone goal came in the 66th minute after a lengthy video review. Uruguay’s Mathias Olivera appeared to be offside before notching the goal-ahead goal, but Ortega confirmed the score after looking at the replay.
“It’s pretty crazy, really,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said. “I don’t understand it. You know, I feel like I know the rule pretty well. I feel like we had the pictures that are showing how the rule could be interpreted and it’s an offside goal. It’s disappointing, it really is. But that happens in football and we have to live with it.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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