Top PRO2 officials from 2024 USL season announced
Abdou Ndiaye has been named the USL Championship Referee of the Year, with Matthew Rodman claiming the honor of the USL Championship Assistant Referee of the Year. In USL League One, those awards were presented to Joe Surgan and Marcus Moss, respectively.
Ndiaye took charge of 19 games in USL Championship, with Rodman working 13 during the regular season. In League One, Surgan and Moss officiated nine games each.
In the playoffs, Rodman was assistant referee for the Western Conference Final between Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Las Vegas Lights, while Ndiaye was the fourth official for the USL Championship final between Switchbacks and Rhode Island.
Alex Prus, Director of PRO2 Match Officials, said: “On behalf of PRO, I congratulate Abdou, Joe, Marcus, and Matthew on successful seasons in USL. They have consistently delivered strong performances, and along with the other nominees, they have set a high benchmark for our aspiring officials to attain in 2025.
“We look forward to welcoming our officials back in January after a well-earned break, ready for the challenge that officiating in USL provides and prepared to work hard and progress along PRO’s pathway.”
Brett Luy, USL’s President of Competition and Administration, said: “We are pleased to recognize four of the top officials from the 2024 USL Championship and League One seasons as part of our ongoing partnership with PRO. The development and recognition of quality match officials remains an integral part of our mission and directly contributes to the growth of the game in the United States.”
Nominated by a selection process that included executives from the Professional Referee Organization, candidates for both MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year were voted on by USL club technical staff.
USL Championship Referee of the Year nominees:
Greg Dopka
Ricardo Fierro
Abdou Ndiaye (WINNER)
USL Championship Assistant Referee of the Year nominees:
Rhett Hammil
Stephen McGonagle
Matthew Rodman (WINNER)
USL League One Referee of the Year nominees:
Rafael Santos
Joe Surgan (WINNER)
Aleksander Zhelyazkov
USL League One Assistant Referee of the Year nominees:
Joshua Belk
Marcus Moss (WINNER)
Hillis Waddell III
Please click here for a list of previous winners