MLS week 16: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials
Image: AR Kyle Atkins is assigned to Seattle Sounders v New York City in week 16
Three games kicked off week 16 of Major League Soccer 2016, with Chris Penso the first referee to reach 10 assignments this season.
On Saturday, however, two more officials will reach that same milestone. The 2015 MLS Referee of the Year Alan Kelly, and last year’s All-Star referee Ismail Elfath, are in the middle at Seattle Sounders and Orlando City respectively.
Read more: MLS Week 16 assignments
Kyle Atkins received his first assignment of 2016 last week, and he is back in action alongside Kelly, with Mike Rottersman – who also had a midweek assignment – and Juan Guzman completing the team of officials.
Among Elfath’s crew is AR Sean Hurd, who was involved in Paul Rejer’s latest Play of the Week concerning goal-line technology – and you can view the incident at the link below.
Play of the Week 15 – Goal line technology
Marcos DeOliveira will lead D.C. United and New England Revolution out in what will be his maiden MLS referee assignment of this campaign, having had three games in the MLS center in each of the last two terms.
Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union host Vancouver Whitecaps at Talen Energy Stadium, where Armando Villarreal referees with the support of Geoff Gamble on the sideline. Running the line will be PRO rookie Jose Da Silva – making his sixth appearance of the season – and Daniel Belleau, who officiated at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Baldomero Toledo was on fourth official duties in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, but the two-time MLS Cup referee is back in the middle for Columbus Crew versus New York Red Bulls at 7:30pm ET.
Stats: All the facts and figures for referees and ARs in MLS
Mathieu Bourdeau, Drew Fischer and Kevin Stott complete the Saturday line-up – they are respectively assigned to Montreal Impact, FC Dallas, and San Jose Earthquakes.
Hilario Grajeda brings the curtain down on week 16. The Referee of the Year of 2013 will be joined by ARs James Conlee and Anthony Vasoli, along with Baboucarr Jallow on fourth duties, for Portland Timbers versus Houston Dynamo on Sunday night.
The latest USL and NWSL assignments can be found at the links below: