MLS referee shirt colors this year

[MidwestRef]

Apparently, MLS is going more to the traditional USSF rules for referee shirt colors. I'm seeing many more instances of officials wearing gold than I did last year. Of course, the games in Columbus and LA have seen officials in red or blue because the home team wears gold in both locaitons. I'm guessing that OSI may have had a lot to say about the officials wearing blue a lot last year, as someone else has already mentioned on this board. I'm wondering if OSI wants that new black sleeve logo to be more visible?

[MassachusettsRef]

Page 65 and 66 of the MLS Referee Handbook possesses a chart that says which uniforms the players and referees are supposed to wear for all potential matchups:

http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/MLShb04.pdf

This is new, and has never been done in the past.

Also, from what I've heard, OSI is giving the shirts with the new USSF logo on the arm to MLS referees. However, they haven't all been distributed yet.

[MassachusettsRef]

More (from the introductory memo):

"Please make sure that you check each MLS Game Notice upon receipt to confirm uniform color. The Referee uniform will generally consist of gold top, black shorts and socks. Teams may wear light and dark Home Team Uniforms in 2004 as prescribed by the league-issued game notice. Game Officials are required to wear the MLS warm-ups provided by OSI and no other while warming up, during field inspection, etc.

Goalkeeper uniform jersey colors will no longer appear on the game notice. Officials must inspect the goalkeeper uniform jersey of each goalkeeper prior to the game and ensure that it sufficiently contrasts with both teams’ uniform jersey. Under ideal circumstances, each goalkeeper’s jersey should contrast with the color of each team’s field player jersey, the opposing goalkeeper and the referee. MLS recognizes the impracticality of this and advises game officials to do what is best for the game in each circumstance."

[Jimjamesak]

That is change from last year when they were told before the game what uniform color they will wear. It's nice to know that if I'm forced to wear that ugly a$$ gold that MLS ref's have to also.