MLS week 10: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials

May 5, 2016June 12, 2017 PRO media Alan Kelly, Allen Chapman, Anthony Vasoli, Armando Villarreal, Chris Strickland, Daniel Belleau, Drew Fischer, Hilario Grajeda, Jair Marrufo, James Conlee, Jason White, Jeff Hosking, Jorge Gonzalez, Jose Da Silva, Juan Guzman, Kevin Stott, Rubiel Vazquez, Sean Hurd, Ted Unkel min read

Image: Jair Marrufo, who gets assignment number 7 this weekend when refereeing Colorado Rapids v Real Salt Lake

MLS week 10 gets started in Florida, where Orlando City host New York Red Bulls at Citrus Bowl (7pm ET).

Last year’s U.S. Open Cup Final referee Ted Unkel has been assigned along with PRO rookie AR Jose Da Silva, and Sean Hurd, who boasts Olympic Games, CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup experience.

Read more: MLS Week 10 assignments

Another vastly experienced official returns to the fold this weekend, with Chris Strickland taking the flag for the first time in MLS this season at BC Place on Saturday (5pm ET).

In addition to Hurd’s honours, Strickland has also refereed in FIFA World Club Championships and taken charge of the 2006 CONCACAF Champions League Final and 2005 MLS Cup.

The referee for that match in Vancouver – which sees the Whitecaps face off against Portland Timbers – is Kevin Stott, who makes his fourth appearance in the MLS middle this season.

That’s also the story when it comes to Jorge Gonzalez, Armando Villarreal and Drew Fischer who have been assigned this Saturday – and AR Jonathan Johnson is in action for the first time this term, assisting Fischer in Houston Dynamo versus Sporting Kansas City.

Jair Marrufo will move onto his seventh center assignment of the season – more than any other official – when leading out Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening.

That applies to AR Frank Anderson too, one of the ARs assisting Marrufo at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for the battle between the two Western Conference pacesetters.

Frank will be joined on seven by his twin brother shortly after, however, with Ian running the line opposite Jeff Hosking and under Alan Kelly when Seattle Sounders meet San Jose Earthquakes at 10pm ET.

Sunday sees two more MLS games, with Hilario Grajeda taking charge of the day’s early match. LA Galaxy host New England Revolution, and the 2013 Referee of the Year will be supported by James Conlee, Anthony Vasoli and fourth official Juan Guzman.

Allen Chapman takes charge of the final game of week 10 – he’s in the capital for D.C. United versus New York City, one of the teams featured in the latest Play of the Week.

Jason White and 2015 Gold Cup AR Daniel Belleau will carry the flags, and Rubiel Vazquez earns another fourth official assignment in his rookie season on the PRO roster.

The NASL, USL and NWSL assignments can all be found at the links below:

NASL Week 6 assignments
USL Week 7 assignments
NWSL Week 5 assignments