Ian Anderson retires and is named as Manager of PRO2 Assistant Referees
Experienced match official Ian Anderson has been appointed as the Manager of PRO2 Assistant Referees after working more than 300 MLS regular-season games over the last 14 seasons.
He will now drive the development of assistant referees in the PRO2 group, established in 2015 as the Development Group, which has helped 30 match officials graduate to the senior roster in the past six years.
Anderson made his MLS debut in 2010 when Sporting Kansas City hosted D.C. United. He was voted the MLS Assistant Referee of the Year just two years later, having also officiated his first MLS All-Star Game.
He then worked the 2015 U.S. Open Cup Final, 2018 MLS Cup, and a second All-Star Game in 2021. In his last full season, he accumulated 30 regular-season MLS matches – his second-highest tally for a single campaign – was assistant referee in a second MLS Cup and brought an end to six years on the FIFA panel that had included a Concacaf Gold Cup in 2019.
His 300th MLS regular-season game saw him return to the club where his journey in the league began as Sporting Kansas City welcomed LA Galaxy in Week 3 of the 2023 season, and he concluded his on-field career at St. Louis CITY in Week 6.
His twin brother Frank also retired from the field during the offseason to become PRO’s Manager of Senior Assistant Referees after 18 years of officiating in MLS.
Mark Geiger, PRO’s General Manager, said: “We are pleased to welcome Ian to our support staff having been such an esteemed colleague for many match officials over his 29-year career.
“Ian comes into his new role straight from the field, which will be extremely beneficial to the PRO2 assistant referees looking to progress their careers in the modern game.
“His appointment is an exciting milestone for PRO2 which is expanding its coaching staff and, for the first time, has a dedicated Manager of Assistant Referees to provide ARs with specialized development that will improve the future level of officiating.”