As we begin a busy year of soccer in the United States (MLS, USL, NWSL, Gold Cup W, Nations League, Copa America, etc.), refereeing takes central stage. That’s not only because the MLS referees are currently on a lockout but because soccer officiating is beginning to gain the attention it deserves as a profession. There are opportunities in refereeing opening up for “the ambitious”…

Last year, I wrote this post about the shortage of referees in the US. In it, I explained the annual certification process and how its length could be detrimental to referee recruitment and retention. Now, in my 20th year of soccer refereeing, here is how the process looks for a North Texas Referee. It’s NOT any shorter but the truth be told, the refresher material is very relevant (even for experienced referees). Below is a checklist of the process with its brief explanation:

• Required background check and clinic registration (National)
• Welcome (State Association: North Texas)
• Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments (National)
• Safesport (National -18 years of age minimum)
• Laws of the Game (National)
• Law Changes Review (National)
• Referee Code of Conduct (National)
• Referee Refreshers (2) Assignment (National)
• Online Test (National)

Required Background Check

In order to register with your corresponding state association (in my case North Texas (NTX)) and the US Soccer Federation (USSF), the referee candidate (if 18 years or older) must pass a background check. The application process in the North Texas System is comprised of 3 steps:

Step 1: Answering a quick (3 questions) questionnaire

In this step, the candidate is asked about 1. prior convictions and types: Felony, Crime of Violence, Crime against an individual, or Fraud. 2. current/desired soccer official type: Assignor, Referee Coach or Referee type (Futsal, Indoor, Outdoor) and 3. Type of registration: Recertification, Upgrade, Fitness Test, Emeritus, Supplemental Training, or Regain Level .

Step 2: Selecting an online clinic

Based on the answer to question #2 in the previous step regarding desired soccer official type and type of registration, you will have to select the pertinent clinic(s) to fulfill your registration process.

Step 3: Payment of pertinent clinics

In my case, I needed to pay two fees: $40 for the USSF “2024 Referee License Fee” and $30 for the Referee Recertification clinic. Payment is expected at this point in order to proceed. This includes a $10 late fee for not having taken care of this process prior to December 31st, of 2023.

Since background checks have a cost associated with them, the verification process doesn’t really start until payment is rendered and approved. Then, the system will send a confirmation email to the email address in your profile. Also, the system will require “Consent” and “Social Security Number” in order to proceed with the electronic background check.

The actual background check process is performed through a third party website (JD Palatine). The submission of some personal information is necessary to complete the application. In addition to consenting to the electronic background information, the candidate will be asked the state where you intend to work AND where you reside. This process will take 10 minutes to complete and upon its conclusion, another email will be generated. This email contains a file number to check on the status of the background check; resolution to the background check can take up to three weeks to be received by the state association. Plan accordingly if there’s a desire to officiate immediately.

Welcome

This online presentation contains slides regarding the recertification steps starting with the two US Soccer Learning Center modules: Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments and Safesport. Presentation duration is about 5 minutes

Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

This is the description that the US Soccer Learning Center provides about this course: “Understanding and knowing how to react to emergencies is an important part of our responsibility as leaders in the sport. This training will help you identify and respond to common issues that occur on the field; it is good for one year from the date of completion.”

This course mostly talks about having Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) in place and when to activate them based on situations impacting different players, coaches, referees emergencies (ex. concussions. cardiac arrest, inclement weather, etc.). Course duration can vary from 2 to 3 hours.

Safesport

This is the description that the US Soccer Learning Center provides about this course:: “SafeSport training is a requirement of the USOPC for anyone involved in youth sports. This training is provided by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and requires yearly refreshers“.

This training is not required for any individual under the age of 18.” Course duration can vary from 40 to 60 minutes.

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Laws of the Game

This is merely a reminder that officials need to have a copy of the laws of the game. Through the 3-4 slides presented, one can either read, download a hard copy on your personal computer or download “the Laws of the Game” mobile application. There’s also a link to the IFAB Laws of the Game website. Duration is 5 minutes.

Laws of the Game changes

This is a summary of the law changes for which the applicant is seeking recertification. Duration is dependent upon the number of law changes or revisions. For 2024, emphasis was on the offside call, deliberate play, and hand balls. As reference, the 2024 duration is about 20 minutes

Referee Refreshers

For the 2024 recertification, there were two refreshers. These refresh courses reinforce material learned in previous years: Managing the game, managing the players, etc. the 2024 duration is 30 – 60 minutes for each lesson.

Online Tests

Four 25 question tests are administered. They need to be completed in one session; otherwise, the test must be started from the beginning. A score of 80 or above must be attained. Duration is variable for each of the four tests.

Minority representation

With Women’s international day celebrated last Friday (03.08), it seems fitting to talk about minority representation in refereeing. Historically, the refereeing circle has been quite limited; the “boys club” in refereeing, as in other circles of soccer, has dominated making entry to the profession difficult for marginalized groups. However, recent assignments to important games are encouraging. One can only hope that these assignments to women (and other minority groups) are more permanent rather than based on annual commemoration of inclusion days or just checking a box. Below are some examples of baby steps:

MLS Match

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake – September 16, 2023

USA FIFA Referee Natalie Simon was assigned as the Referee, making her the fourth ever female official to work an MLS match as the Referee and the first Black female official to do so.

The most recent female official to work an MLS match as the Referee was USA FIFA Referee Tori Penso (wife of retired referee Chris Penso), who recently became the first USA official to referee a Women’s World Cup Final.

It is also worth noting that the assignments to minority groups should be based on merit and not on inclusion status or checkboxes. Due to their historical limited experience, some of these , minority referees may not be quite ready for the big stage. Tori has demonstrated that her level (physical and emotional) is dynamic to be refereeing important matches consistently. Even at the Women’s Gold Cup, she struggled when game-impacting decisions were required of her.

MLS Cup

Other recent assignments to important matches include.

• Armando Villarreal, Referee
• Cameron Blanchard, Assistant Referee
• Ian McKay, Assistant Referee
• Jon Freemon, 4th Official
• Kevin Stott, VAR
• TJ Zablocki, AVAR
• Jeremy Kieso, Reserve AR

NWSL Final

• Katja Koroleva, Referee
• Jennifer Garner, Assistant Referee (from North Texas)
• Kate Wasiak, Assistant Referee
• Anya Voigt, 4th Official
• Kevin Broadley VAR
• Maggie Short, AVAR
• Tiff Turpin, Reserve AR

USL Championship

• Elton Garcia, Referee
• Mike Nickerson, Assistant Referee
• Nick Balcer, Assistant Referee
• Natalie Simon, 4th Official
• Matt Schwartz, Reserve AR

USL League 1 Final

• Sergii Demianchuk, Referee
• Matt Rodman, Assistant Referee
• Joe Suchoski, Assistant Referee
• Jeremy Scheer, 4th Official
• Bennett Savage, Reserve AR

MLS Next PRO Final

• Calin Radosav, Referee
• Noah Kenyawani, Assistant Referee
• Rhett Hammil, Assistant Referee
• JC Griggs, 4th Official
• Nick Seymour, Reserve AR

Liga MX

This past weekend Katia Itzel García, officiated the Queretaro vs Pachuca game. It had been 20 years since Virginia Tovar, the first woman to officiate a Liga MX match, was given an opportunity. Twenty years had to go by for a second opportunity. Katia recently officiated the Women’s Gold Cup match between Canada and USA.

That’s all for now. For suggestions on topics you’d like to see discussed, please reach out. #theGomezway.