2017 MLS Cup crew announced

Allen Chapman will referee the 2017 MLS Cup, which takes place on Saturday, December 9 (4pm ET).

The final will be a repeat of last year’s showpiece, contested by Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield champions Toronto FC and Western Conference winners and current holders, Seattle Sounders.

Adam Wienckowski and Jeremy Hanson will be the MLS Cup assistant referees, with Kevin Stott the fourth official. Jason White is assigned as the fifth official with Dave Gantar the VAR.

MLS Referee of the Year Chapman was Fourth Official in the final in 2016 and officiated the 2017 MLS All-Star game. He has taken charge of 108 MLS games and this will be his 24th assignment of the 2017 campaign.

Read more: “Time for the next call” – Allen Chapman on All-Star achievement and MLS milestone

Running the sidelines are assistant referees Wienckowski and Hanson, who were also put forward as potential winners of 2017’s Assistant Referee of the Year, but were pipped to the award by Corey Parker. Wienckowski and Hanson were also part of Chapman’s crew for August’s All-Star fixture.

Stott will be involved in his sixth MLS Cup in Toronto, having refereed the showpiece event a record three times – in 2001, 2005 and 2009, as well as twice previously being the Fourth Official.

White was the fourth member of the crew to have featured at this year’s All-Star game at Soldier Field, Chicago and will provide assistance as the reserve official.

For the first time in MLS Cup history, a video assistant referee has been named. Canadian official Gantar made his MLS debut in 2010 before becoming a member of the FIFA panel one year later. He has previously refereed at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

12/09/2017 – MLS Cup
Toronto FC v Seattle Sounders
BMO Field (4:00pm ET)
REF: ALLEN CHAPMAN
AR1: Adam Wienckowski
AR2: Jeremy Hanson
4TH: Kevin Stott
5TH: Jason White
VAR: Dave Gantar