Referee Kevin Ortega refused to shake hands with United States captain Christian Pulisic following a tense encounter as they crashed out of Copa America after falling to defeat against Uruguay.
The "Stars and Stripes" came into the final game in Group C knowing that everything was on the line in terms of qualification for the knockout rounds. Their win in their opening match against Bolivia provided optimism but this was quickly jeopardized by a 2-1 loss to Panama in their next game - leaving them with all to play for in their final clash in the groups.
However, Gregg Berhalter's ailing outfit failed to rally once again against Uruguay as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat in a terminal blow for their tournament hopes. A tense affair in Kansas City was mired in controversy too amid a couple of divisive decisions from the officials on the night.
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Chief among them was the call to allow Mathias Olivera's winning goal for Uruguay to stand after replays had shown that the defender may have strayed offside in the build up to the strike. In addition, tempers flared after America's Chris Richards was booked in the first half - before the referee Ortega bizarrely allowed an advantage to be played.
After the USA's fate was sealed at Arrowhead Stadium, team skipper Pulisic was left incensed as he called out the officials, being caught on camera asking the referee: "Why aren't you over there with them?", as Ortega then refused to shake the AC Milan forward's hand in a frosty exchange.
Reflecting on this episode on the field following a sobering loss, he said: "He wouldn't shake my hand. It's normal -- I mean, I guess," before criticizing officials, saying: "Honestly, I mean I saw things that I've never seen before right in front of my eyes today that I just I truly I can't believe.
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"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 just really -- I mean I think everyone can just give admit I don't know what I'm looking at. I don't know what they're calling. I don't know what he's -- he gives no explanation. He's doing things that I just can't accept."
USMNT head coach Berhalter was in agreement with his player, saying: "It's pretty crazy, really. 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 you know, that happens in football and we have to live with it, obviously."
Of his team's overall showing at Copa America, Berhalter expressed regret at how his country had performed, saying: "Totally disappointed with the results. We know that we're capable of more. And, in this one, we didn't show it.
"It's really as simple as that. I think that you look at the stage that was set with the fans in this tournament, with a high level of competition in this tournament, and we should have done better. We’ll do a review and figure out what went wrong, why it went wrong, but I think it's an empty feeling right now for sure.”
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