Robert Sibiga and Cory Richardson collect top MLS awards
Robert Sibiga has been named the 2021 MLS Referee of the Year, and Cory Richardson is the 2021 MLS Assistant Referee of the Year.
Sibiga has accumulated 138 regular-season assignments in his seven-year MLS career and has also presided over Audi MLS Cup Playoffs matches, the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, and the 2012 United Soccer League Championship Final.
Assistant Referee Cory Richardson continues his rise through the ranks. During his four-year MLS career, Richardson’s 70 assignments include the 2021 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, 2020 MLS Cup and the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League Championship. In addition, Richardson has been nominated by U.S. Soccer to the FIFA International Panel of Assistant Referees.
Nominated by the Professional Referee Organization, candidates for both MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year were voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and MLS players. Below is the voting breakdown:
Referee of the Year
Robert Sibiga (45.57%)
Jair Marrufo (27.37%)
Armando Villarreal (27.07%)
Assistant Referee of the Year
Cory Richardson (38.73%)
Ian Anderson (32.20%)
Frank Anderson (29.07%)