Fans have reacted to controversial scenes in the Copa America 2024, as referee Kevin Ortega refused to shake USMNT captain Christian Pulisic's hand. The US men's national team were knocked out of the competition after they lost 0-1 to Uruguay in their final group stage game.
Although they started strong with a 2-0 win over Bolivia in their first group-stage match, a 1-2 loss to Panama in their penultimate match set them teetering on the edge. A win over Uruguay was required to get through to the Copa America quarterfinals, but they failed to secure those three points, instead bowing out of the tournament.
However, they will certainly have a problem with how the match was officiated, as there were a number of shocking decisions by referee Ortega. The most controversial was the decision to deem Mathias Olivera's goal as onside, while the USMNT expected the goal to be disallowed.
Christian Pulisic was not pleased with the decision for the goal to stand, and he lashed out unhappily at the referee alongside the USMNT. When the Copa America match had ended, and he went to Ortega to shake hands, the referee refused, leading to ire from the onwatching fans on social media.
"Investigate that man immediately," a fan posted.
"Clearly biased. Must be investigated," another fan agreed.
"Classless and unsportsmanlike. No other way to put it," another fan was displeased.
"Absolute disgusting by official," another added.
'What an embarrassment," a fan reacted.
"The match was clearly fixed once you know the history of this “referee”," another fan claimed.
"FIFA will take a good look into this," claimed another.
"I just saw a clip where the referee refused to shake Pulisic's hand. This bothers me because referees are supposed to be ambassadors of the game, and their actions should reflect good sportsmanship. This incident showed a lack of sportsmanship on the referee's part," another fan went into detail.
Others added:
Former USMNT player reacts to exit from Copa America
Despite the controversial call that counted Olivera's goal as onside, the USMNT did not have a worthy performance on the day. They struggled to create any big chances, missing the only one they did have, while ending the match with a meager 0.49xG.
Former national team player Alexi Lalas reacted to their loss and eventual exit from the Copa America. Speaking on FOX as a pundit, he lashed out at referee Ortega by calling the official's full name (via GOAL):
“Let’s use his full name, it’s Kevin Paulo Ortega Pimentel, you know when your parents get angry they use your full name because this guy is completely out of depth in this game and what he is doing.”
Now, the US men's national team will need to look ahead and determine the next step, as they now look towards the World Cup, which will also take place on home soil.