MLS week 25: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials
Image: Referee Robert Sibiga has been assigned to two matches in MLS week 25
Following a busy midweek schedule in week 25 of MLS, it’s on to the weekend and a further nine games to cast an eye over.
Read more: MLS Week 25 assignments
Two of the Mariscal family link up in the first of those, when Real Salt Lake host Colorado Rapids on Friday night.. Alejandro is the fourth official at Rio Tinto Stadium, with brother Apolinar one of the assistant referees. Jair Marrufo is the man who will take charge of proceedings.
On Saturday, there are a further six games with Drew Fischer and Juan Guzman refereeing the 7pm ET kick-offs at D.C. United and Philadelphia Union respectively.
Nick Uranga makes his MLS bow a half-hour later, taking the flag at MAPFRE Stadium for Columbus Crew’s home match-up with San Jose Earthquakes. Peter Manikowski is on the opposite side, with Ismail Elfath the man in the middle.
Jorge Gonzalez referees an all-Canadian affair between Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, while the third of the Canadian sides – Vancouver Whitecaps – face a trip to Los Angeles to take on the Galaxy. MLS Referee of the Year Alan Kelly takes charge there.
In between comes the small matter of a Texan derby between Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, and Kevin Stott is the PRO official in charge. An experienced AR duo of Chris Strickland and Brian Poeschel make up the crew along with fourth official Nima Saghafi.
Statistics: Referee and AR facts and figures for the 2016 MLS season
Three matches take place on Sunday to bring the curtain down on the latest round of MLS action.
New York Red Bulls meet New England Revolution in the first of those, that match getting under way at 2:30pm ET under the watchful eye of Ricardo Salazar.
Then, one week on from their clash in Seattle, Portland Timbers and the Sounders renew their rivalry at Providence Park, with the experienced Hilario Grajeda assigned to keep a lid on matters.
Robert Sibiga has his second and the week’s final match – Orlando City versus New York City in a 7pm ET kick-off – and it will be a full house in week 25 for the Mariscal brothers, with Eduardo assigned to AR duty.
NASL Week 20 assignments
USL Week 23 assignments
NWSL Week 17 assignments