United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) reacts during the first half of a Copa America match against Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Controversial Uruguay goal knocks USMNT out of Copa America

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jul 1, 2024 11:15 PM ET

The U.S. Men's National Team went crashing out of Copa America 2024 after losing 1-0 to Group C leaders Uruguay in Kansas City on Monday night.

Despite the Americans' failure to find the back of the net, it was Uruguay's lone score that drew confusion and anger from fans and commentators alike.

Replays appeared to show Uruguayan defender Mathias Olivera was offside when the initial header from his teammate was directed toward sprawled U.S. goaltender Matt Turner, who saved it but right into Olivera's foot for the redirect score.

This was somehow not ruled offside after review pic.twitter.com/Oh2Xn9Z7bK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024

After the on-field referee waited several minutes for the video assistant referee to confirm the call, the goal stood. Official lines drawn on the offside replay confused Fox Sports' Stu Holden, a USMNT veteran.

The VAR review of the Uruguay goal ruled this as onside pic.twitter.com/awOZVDqp6a
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024

In the end, the controversial setback did not matter by virtue of groupmate Panama's 3-1 victory over Bolivia. The U.S. would have had to score twice and beat Uruguay in order to qualify out of Group C.

This is the first time in 20 occasions that the U.S. has hosted a major international tournament and did not qualify for the knockout stage.

Uruguay and Panama now advance to the Copa America quarterfinals which are set for July 5-6.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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