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Ref waved off a stunning goal from US soccer star Christen Press because of an accidental whistle

Meredith Cash   

Ref waved off a stunning goal from US soccer star Christen Press because of an accidental whistle
  • A referee incorrectly revoked a goal from Christen Press during the USWNT's rout of Mexico.
  • Nearly 30,000 fans in attendance chanted "V-A-R" in an appeal for a video review of the play.
  • After the game, the ref told USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski that she "blew the whistle by accident."

Christen Press got robbed.

The star forward found the back of the net to complete an absolutely stunning US Women's National Team sequence during the squad's matchup with Mexico Monday evening. But as Press began celebrating with her teammates, the officials convened and inexplicably called back the goal.

The nearly 30,000 fans in attendance at Connecticut's Rentschler Field were confused and irate. They began chanting "V-A-R" - or Video Assistant Referee - in an appeal for a video review of the play despite the highly controversial nature of the replay system.

Even the ESPN broadcasters, including former USWNT star Julie Foudy, agreed that Press was "onside from that view" as they re-watched the play.

Check out the gorgeous team effort leading to Press' should-be goal:

After the game, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski alluded to his discontent with the goal reversal by saying he'd "be more than happy to talk about that." When The Athletic's Steph Yang pressed for more, Andonovski revealed the referee's explanation for revoking the goal - and it was even more asinine than anyone could have possibly expected.

"It wasn't a goal because the referee - by her explanation - blew the whistle by accident," Andonovski said. "That was the explanation that was given to us."

"I cannot believe it happened, because I thought that was the most beautiful goal that we scored as a team," he added.

You can watch his postgame comments on the matter below:

Regardless of the slight, Press, Andonvski, and the rest of the USWNT are now shifting their focus to embark to becoming the first team to earn Olympic gold directly after winning the World Cup.

They'll start off their packed slate in Tokyo with a grudge match against Sweden - who instantly became one of the USWNT's biggest rivals after booting them from the 2016 Olympics - on Wednesday, July 21. The stars and stripes will then round out the group stage with games against New Zealand on July 24 and Australia on July 27.

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