Who is Kevin Ortega? Controversial referee takes center stage during USMNT's Copa America clash with Uruguay

David Suggs

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Who is Kevin Ortega? Controversial referee takes center stage during USMNT's Copa America clash with Uruguay image

Monday's Copa America contest between the  U.S. men's national team and Uruguay descended into madness in the first half. At the center of the chaos was the matchup's supposed legislator, referee Kevin Ortega.

Ortega made a serious of contentious calls, including a moment which saw the Uruguayans somehow receive an advantage when Ortega stopped play to brandish a yellow card.

It was a calamitous showcase for the 32-year-old official, who immediately got his name up in lights for all the wrong reasons at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium. Suffice to say, the soccer world took notice, particularly those in the U.S. unfamiliar with the stylings of CONMEBOL, South America's governing soccer body.

In a match filled with footballing behemoths, it was Ortega who took control. Given the implications of Monday's duel, which decided the group stage fate of the USMNT, that wasn't a good thing. The U.S. lost 1-0, spelling an end to its hopes for a deep Copa America run.

Here's what you need to know about Ortega, a wanted man among U.S. men's soccer team lovers following his eye-catching display.

LIVE: Updates, highlights from USA vs. Uruguay at Copa America 2024

Who 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.

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.

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.

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.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.