Interviews – Professional Referee Organization ®

Thursday, September 28, 2023

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 25: Referee Kali Smith and Julian Gressel #19 of Vancouver Whitecaps after a game between Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on March 25, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

PRO media July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 Kali Smith, PRO2

Kali Smith: “I love where I am at now”

The former college heptathlete reflects on her transition to professional officiating having been recruited to the FIFA panel just five years after joining PRO2.

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PRO media December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 Howard Webb

Howard Webb: “I’m going to miss the groups I’ve worked with”

General Manager Howard Webb takes fond memories back to England after six successful years at PRO.

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PRO media August 24, 2022 general manager, Howard Webb, PGMOL

Howard Webb to become first-ever PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer in England

PRO General Manager to remain with PRO through end of 2022 MLS season before returning to England.

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PRO media March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly: “I became a better referee having been part of this group”

PRO’s newly appointed Manager of Senior Referees Alan Kelly has a family of officials at work and at home, and is looking to take them both to new heights.

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PRO media February 25, 2022February 25, 2022

“The atmosphere was great” – Howard Webb reflects on preseason

The late February start of MLS 2022 has resulted in preseason being a month shorter than usual, providing challenges and opportunities for PRO officials in the build up to the new campaign.

Alyssa Nichols, Jon Freemon, Jason White and Corey Rockwell (front)

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PRO media February 21, 2022September 21, 2023 Corey Rockwell

Corey Rockwell: 300 MLS games and counting

PRO assistant referee Corey Rockwell reached the 300 regular-season game milestone in MLS last year – a journey that started just before a snowstorm in Colorado.

Chris Penso makes a call at DRV PNK Stadium

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PRO media June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 Chris Penso, FIFA, MLS

Chris Penso on FIFA badges, rehab, and a return to the field

Achilles surgery may have halted Chris Penso’s nine-year streak of double-figure game counts in MLS, but he has benefited from the opportunity that the injury presented.

Brooke Mayo, Rachel Smith, Natalie Simon, Karen Callado, and Deleana Quan after officiating the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Final

Interviews

PRO media May 18, 2021July 21, 2021 Brooke Mayo, MLS, NWSL Challenge Cup

Brooke Mayo: “You never know who you could be inspiring”

Brooke Mayo has burst onto the elite refereeing scene with milestone moments for not only herself, but a new generation of female officials – in a year where off-field issues took center stage.