MLS week 26: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials

Image: Baldomero Toledo is one of the PRO referees on Week 26 duty

Chris Penso kicked off Week 26 when New York City hosted D.C. United in Thursday night’s match-up.

Read more: MLS Week 26 assignments

Just five more games make up the schedule, all of which take place on Saturday.

Statistics: Referee and AR facts and figures for the 2016 MLS season

Sorin Stoica is the man in charge of the day’s first kick-off, Vancouver Whitecaps hosting New York Red Bulls at BC Place. The Red Bulls were involved in our recent Play of the Week, in which PRO’s Paul Rejer looked at AR priorities and the skill of multitasking.

Play of the Week 25: AR priorities and multitasking

Half an hour later, at 7:30pm ET, MLS Referee of the Year Alan Kelly takes the whistle for New England Revolution versus Colorado Rapids at Gillette Stadium. For support, he has the three Js – Joe, James and Jaime. Fletcher and Conlee are the ARs, while Herrera is on fourth official duties.

Revolution are in US Open Cup Final action in two weeks’ time, where they’ll face FC Dallas – a team also at home in Week 26. Toros take on Portland Timbers with Ted Unkel as center referee.

Baldomero Toledo, who will referee the Final in Houston, also takes to the field – he will oversee Chicago Fire against Philadelphia Union.

Read more: Baldomero Toledo prepared for next accomplishment – U.S. Open Cup

The final game of the week kicks off at 10:30pm ET, when Kevin Stott blows his whistle for Los Angeles Galaxy versus Columbus Crew.

Assignments for NASL, USL and NWSL can be found below:

NASL Week 21 assignments
USL Week 24 assignments
NWSL Week 17 assignments