MLS week 11: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials
Image: Hilario Grajeda in action – he’ll referee Portland Timbers v New York City in week 11
Five games took place on Wednesday night in MLS, but there are still another nine to be played in week 11 of the competition.
Read more: MLS week 11 assignments
Jaime Herrera made his center referee debut in the midweek match-up between San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo, while Sorin Stoica made his second appearance since recovering from injury.
Read more: Sorin Stoica eager to rediscover form
Baldomero Toledo, Jose Carlos Rivero and Alan Kelly completed the midweek center assignments, and the latter is on fourth official duty twice during the week’s remaining games.
The first of those comes on Friday evening in the capital, where D.C. United host New York Red Bulls – 2012’s MLS Referee of the Year Silviu Petrescu takes charge of that at 7pm ET.
Kelly continues his role the following day, supporting Jorge Gonzalez – the 2010 All-Star referee – when New England Revolution take on Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium.
There will be an-all Canadian affair going on at the same time, with Toronto FC welcoming Vancouver Whitecaps to BMO Field. Robert Sibiga has been assigned to that one, with Daniel Belleau running the line – and the vastly-experienced AR was involved in PRO’s latest Play of the Week.
Read more: Play of the Week 10 – free-kicks on the edge of the penalty area
Montreal Impact, the Eastern Conference leaders, take on third-placed Philadelphia Union under the watchful eye of Drew Fischer, who made his debut refereeing the Impact in a USL game in May 2007.
Chris Penso referees the Western Conference pacesetters Colorado Rapids, who visit MAPFRE Stadium to face Columbus Crew, while Juan Guzman is in the middle for Houston Dynamo versus Real Salt Lake.
Read more: Statistics – the facts and figures for this season’s MLS officials
On Sunday, Sporting Kansas City play Orlando City. Ismail Elfath – last year’s All-Star referee – will take the whistle and has 2011 AR of the Year Corey Rockwell for support, along with Jeremy Hanson and fourth official Rubiel Vazquez, who is also fourth for FC Dallas versus Seattle Sounders a day beforehand.
Hilario Grajeda is assigned to the final game of the weekend, with MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers taking on New York City at Providence Park.
The NASL, USL and NWSL assignments can all be found at the links below:
NASL Week 7 assignments
USL Week 8 assignments
NWSL Week 5 assignments