Interviews – Professional Referee Organization ®

Alan Kelly: “I became a better referee having been part of this group”

March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 PRO media Alan Kelly

PRO’s newly appointed Manager of Senior Referees Alan Kelly has a family of officials at work and at home, and is looking to take them both to new heights.

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“The atmosphere was great” – Howard Webb reflects on preseason

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 PRO media

The late February start of MLS 2022 has resulted in preseason being a month shorter than usual, providing challenges and opportunities for PRO officials in the build up to the new campaign.

Alyssa Nichols, Jon Freemon, Jason White and Corey Rockwell (front)

Featured Interviews

Corey Rockwell: 300 MLS games and counting

February 21, 2022February 21, 2022 PRO media Corey Rockwell

PRO assistant referee Corey Rockwell reached the 300 regular-season game milestone in MLS last year – a journey that started just before a snowstorm in Colorado.

Chris Penso makes a call at DRV PNK Stadium

Featured Interviews

Chris Penso on FIFA badges, rehab, and a return to the field

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 PRO media Chris Penso, FIFA, MLS

Achilles surgery may have halted Chris Penso’s nine-year streak of double-figure game counts in MLS, but he has benefited from the opportunity that the injury presented.

Brooke Mayo, Rachel Smith, Natalie Simon, Karen Callado, and Deleana Quan after officiating the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Final

Interviews

Brooke Mayo: “You never know who you could be inspiring”

May 18, 2021July 21, 2021 PRO media Brooke Mayo, MLS, NWSL Challenge Cup

Brooke Mayo has burst onto the elite refereeing scene with milestone moments for not only herself, but a new generation of female officials – in a year where off-field issues took center stage.

Referee Tori Penso makes a call during the first half of the match between the Nashville SC and the D.C. United at Nissan Stadium.

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Tori Penso: “I’m standing on the shoulders of giants”

September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 PRO media Kari Seitz, MLS, Nancy Lay, Sandy Hunt, Tori Penso

Tori Penso looks back on her first MLS assignment in the center and reveals how such a significant milestone came about.

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Katy Nesbitt: “The reaction has been bigger than anything I have experienced before”

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 PRO media Katy Nesbitt, MLS is Back

Katy Nesbitt reflects on making history as the first female to officiate an MLS title game.

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Katja Koroleva reflects on the NWSL Challenge Cup Final and her continued efforts on the frontline

August 21, 2020August 23, 2020 PRO media COVD-19, Katja Koroleva, NWSL Challenge Cup

Working on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic has put everything into perspective for NWSL Challenge Cup Final referee Katja Koroleva, who believes the Utah-based tournament was a beacon of light in testing times.

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Fotis Bazakos leads PRO officials in making Sam’s day

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 PRO media Fotis Bazakos, Matt Fricke, PRO, Sam Cottington

Sam Cottington was at his high school graduation – a ceremony that, amidst coronavirus, saw families stay in their parked cars with the event itself broadcast over the PA system.