MLS week 8: A closer look at the assigned PRO officials

Image: AR Corey Rockwell in action – he runs the line at New York Red Bulls v Orlando City this week

Ted Unkel takes charge of an all-Canadian affair in MLS week 8, after last year’s U.S. Open Cup Final referee was assigned to Montreal Impact versus Toronto FC on Saturday (4pm ET).

Unkel came under the spotlight in Paul Rejer’s latest Play of the Week, which incidentally involved New York City, who play in Saturday’s other early fixture at Philadelphia Union.

Read more: Play of the Week 7 — DOGSO; Identifying the Offender

Jose Carlos Rivero referees that one, supported by Brian Dunn, Jose Da Silva and Mathieu Bourdeau. There are another five match-ups taking place later that day, with Alan Kelly in the capital for D.C. United versus New England Revolution.

Kelly, the current MLS Referee of the Year, is joined by Eric Weisbrod, an AR who took the flag for both the NASL and USL finals at the climax of last season.

Read more: MLS Week 8 assignments

Kevin Stott, Jorge Gonzalez and Silviu Petrescu all pick up their third assignments of the campaign when they take the whistle at Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids and Vancouver Whitecaps respectively; Edvin Jurisevic takes the whistle for LA Galaxy versus Real Salt Lake.

Read more: MLS Referee and AR stats

Two more games take place on Sunday, with Jair Marrufo getting San Jose Earthquakes versus Sporting Kansas City under way at 3:30pm ET. Mike Rottersman is joined on the line by Phil Briere, who officiated at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Week 8 comes to an end with New York Red Bulls locking horns with Orlando City at 7:30pm ET. The vastly experienced Hilario Grajeda — 2013’s top MLS referee — has been assigned to that match.

The NWSL, NASL and USL assignments for this week can be found at the links below.

NWSL Week 2 assignments
NASL Week 4 assignments
USL Week 5 assignments