MLS Referee Policy
By Joe Guest, Director of Refereeing
Canadian Soccer Association
Paul Tamberino, Mgr. of Professional Assignment and Assessment
US Soccer Federation
The evaluation process of MLS Referees has been in place since the inaugural MLS season. However, the process of evaluation starts much earlier before getting to the MLS level. What follows is a brief description of what a referee goes through before being considered for assignment at the highest professional level in this country:
All referees in MLS are National Referees of the United States Soccer Federation or Canadian International match officials. To become a US National Referee, it usually takes a minimum of officiating for seven years in over 500 games to reach the National Level. Both US Soccer and Canadian officials attend an annual testing session conducted by U.S Soccer in January. At this time, they go through a very intense training session. The referees arrive at camp on Thursday afternoon. The Cooper Physical Fitness test, including a series of 50 and 200 yard sprints, is the first thing on the agenda Friday morning. All National Referees MUST pass this test to be able to perform any duties in MLS (e.g., Referee, Assistant Referee or 4th Official).
The FIFA test is given to all current FIFA personnel and those that are eligible. It is given in two stages, one for the referees and one for the assistants. The test is a series of six sprints by 40 meters do be done at a specified time. For referees it is 6.2 seconds and for assistant referees, it is 6.0 seconds. The second test is a series of interval sprints - 150 meters to be run in 30-35 seconds, with a 50 meter recovery. The assistants run the same test, but their time is 30-40 seconds with the same recovery time. In both cases, they must complete 10 laps. Also new to the referee program in 2007, is that, U.S. Soccer has employed four full-time referees. These individuals will do nothing but referee, train individually, attend training sessions with U.S. Soccer staff and devote most of their time studying the game.
After the fitness test, there are classroom sessions, review of past MLS game tapes, points of emphasis, guest speakers from FIFA regarding any latest law amendments or interpretations, and in the past MLS Players and Coaches have attended and spoke with the referees about the professional game.
US Soccer and the Canadian Soccer Association has an early identification programs in place which allows for referees to be identified, instructed and evaluated throughout the United States and Canada in various tournaments and events. Some of these tournaments include: Armed Forces Tournaments, Dallas Cup, International Tournaments involving both club and national teams, National Cup Tournaments, etc. These referees are also scheduled to officiate in the United Soccer League's levels of the professional divisions and games involving MLS Reserve Teams.
Referees who are highly successful in steps one and two outlined above are invited by MLS to officiate in the MLS Player Combine. If they are successful there, they are invited to officiate MLS preseason games. At these two sites, the referees are evaluated by US Soccer staff and MLS officials. If successful in the MLS Player Combine and preseason games, they are placed in the pool of referees who will work in the upcoming MLS season. Referees assigned to any Pro Games are evaluated by National Assessors. For each MLS game, there is a National Assessor in the stadium, called an In-Stadium Observer and another National Assessor called a Coach/Mentor watching the game live at home.
The game is taped by the Coach / Mentor for additional review.
The In-Stadium Observer will go into the referee locker room after the game to discuss any critical incidents that have occurred during the game. Afterwards, the In-Stadium Observer will have an in-depth discussion with the Coach/Mentor. In addition, the Coach/Mentor may receive input from US Soccer/CSA Staff. The MLS League Office supplies League input.
The Coach/Mentor will write the final evaluation and grade the referee. All Coach/Mentors have officiated at a very high level. Many are past FIFA referees, National Instructors, and have decades of experience at a high level. For some MLS games, US Soccer or the CSA will have a Coach/Mentor travel with the referee crew for personal "hands on" coaching before the game.
Each referee that works an MLS game receives a videotape of the match immediately following the game. The referee is required to view the video and write a self-evaluation of his performance. The report is submitted to USSF electronically and can be viewed by the Coach / Mentors, US Soccer or, where appropriate, CSA staff and MLS officials. The final evaluation is discussed with the referee by the Coach/Mentor. When a referee receives an evaluation that is not acceptable, the referee is notified by the Coach/Mentor, and the performance is discussed in depth. The referee is also contacted by a member of the US Soccer or, where appropriate, CSA Staff, and they talk about the game and their performance.
When a referee has an unacceptable performance at any level, their assignment status at that level is reviewed. When it occurs in MLS, the referee is provided with professional guidance and opportunities to demonstrate the skill sets required for the Professional Level prior to being allocated further MLS games.
http://web.mlsnet.com/about/league.jsp?section=referees&content=evaluation
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