The Chilean crew that controversially disallowed an Ecuador goal in their scoreless draw against Brazil last weekend will officiate the US national team’s crucial Copa America Centenario match against Paraguay on Saturday (7 pm ET; FS1, Univision, UDN).
Referee Julio Bascuñan and assistants Carlos Astroza and Christian Schiemann disallowed an Ecuador goal in the 66th minute of their game against Brazil, with Bascuñan calling for a goal kick after an assistant ruled that the ball had crossed the end line prior to a shot being taken.
The Chilean crew will be joined on Saturday by a pair of Panamanians, fourth official John Pitti and reserve assistant Gabriel Victoria.
In addition to officiating the Ecuador-Brazil contest, Bascuñan also served as the fourth official for Colombia’s 2-1 win against Paraguay on Tuesday. Paraguay’s Oscar Romero was ejected from that match in the 81st minute after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
An experienced referee in the Chilean league, Copa Libertadores and on the South American international circuit, Bascuñan officiated Paraguay’s 1-0 loss at Peru in World Cup qualifying in November and their 2-2 draw against Argentina in last year’s Copa America. This will be his first match featuring the USMNT.
