Next FIFA refs

[hornetbiz]

Maybe its a little early to be discussing this...

but I'm wondering who you all think will be next to the FIFA panel from the US.

With Kennedy and Hall reaching mandatory retirement age soon (next year I believe) who are the likely candidates to replace them?

[MassachusettsRef]

I don't think it's too early, as I believe the nominations are initially made by USSF around September and then confirmed by FIFA later this fall.

There's no science to this, but I'd guess Marrufo next year, with Simmons and Geiger to follow either the year after or in 2008. They are clearly the three national referees that have established themselves in MLS over the past several years, among the many that have been given the opportunity. Toledo may be a darkhorse candidate, but he's had a rough year.

I have no idea what the time table is for ARs, but I'd guess Morgante and Wienckowski will get their badges in the next 2-4 years.

[Spaceball]

Maybe its a little early to be discussing this...

but I'm wondering who you all think will be next to the FIFA panel from the US.

With Kennedy and Hall reaching mandatory retirement age soon (next year I believe) who are the likely candidates to replace them?

Ricardo Valenzuela is also retiring from the panel though not due to age. He is returning to school for a PhD and will not have the time to commit to refereeing. He will continue as an assessor and mentor but will hang up the whistle.

I agree with MassRef that Marrufo is the most likely candidate to get the nod and that Geiger will soon follow though I believe he needs at least another year at the top level. The US may try to get Toledo through as well because he is very experienced in the MLS and are white badge numbers are dwindling. They may also try to squeeze through Okulaja as he is another very experienced top division referee...though I think this would be the true dark horse in the group. Another name for future consideration may be Hilario Grajeda...he may be a candidate in the next couple years.

[Ref Flunkie]

Kinda on topic: How is it decided on how MANY FIFA referees each country has? Does each country have a set amount or is it based on population/size? Some other factor?

[hornetbiz]

Having been a lurker here for a while I would suspect that the name Marrufo is sending chills up and down some people's spines...

I guess what you're saying is Marrufo has gotten past the incident from a couple years ago (not sending off Prileaux (sp?) after 2 yellows) at least as far as USSF is concerned. I would have thought that kind of incident would have precluded Marrufo from consideration from the panel. Clearly he made a terrible mistake, and even worse, he tried to cover it up after his 4th alerted him to the problem.

I personally think that Okulaja, Geiger, and Simmons would be a much greater credit to the US reffing community...especially Simmons...Every game I've seen of his, this year, has been excellent IMHO...I think he deserves more assignments in MLS as well.

[MassachusettsRef]

People have said Okulaja has two issues, neither of which I've ever confirmed: A) he's not a citizen, B) he's over 40. If either is true, he's precluded from a FIFA badge. Point (A) can be solved, as it was with Prus. But if Point (B) is true, he has no chance.

From what I heard, Marrufo was in contention for a FIFA badge the year that he made the mistake with Prideaux. The past few years have been his "second chance". People can disagree about how good he's been, but the fact is that he's gotten a steady flow of assignments recently. I tend to believe that means he's passed the test in the eyes of the USSF.

Toledo might be the most interesting candidate, because from what I've been told, the powers that be in USSF love him, yet he's had a tough year with the Thornton incident and some other matches. Next year might be a make or break year for Toledo.

A true darkhorse, by the way, is Andrew Chapin. He's coming along very slowly, but he is coming along. I think it would be 4-5 years until he got a FIFA badge, but it is a long-term possibility.

I think Simmons and Geiger are as close as you can get to guarantees, it's just a question of how soon.

[Statesman]

Isn't Geiger fairly young? He looks like a teenager on the pitch.

[Beaker67]

I'm going to throw out that the next referees will be Marrufo--especially with his father's connection to CONCACAF, I think he's been a given for several years. Okulaja is not a citizen, so most unfortunately he's out. Simmons and Geiger are excellent options, although IMHO Geiger needs a bit more seasoning. He's a terrific referee, but he jumped to MLS without A-League/USL 1 experience and he's young so a bit more time won't hurt. Simmons has worked himself back into the good graces of the Federation with very nice performances.

On the AR side, I would say that Cory Rockwell is on the short list; Adam Wiencowski is talented and has had fantastic performances, but he's still young I would say a little more time wouldn't hurt him either.

[whistleblowerusa]

People have said Okulaja has two issues, neither of which I've ever confirmed: A) he's not a citizen, B) he's over 40. If either is true, he's precluded from a FIFA badge. Point (A) can be solved, as it was with Prus. But if Point (B) is true, he has no chance.

From what I heard, Marrufo was in contention for a FIFA badge the year that he made the mistake with Prideaux. The past few years have been his "second chance". People can disagree about how good he's been, but the fact is that he's gotten a steady flow of assignments recently. I tend to believe that means he's passed the test in the eyes of the USSF.

Toledo might be the most interesting candidate, because from what I've been told, the powers that be in USSF love him, yet he's had a tough year with the Thornton incident and some other matches. Next year might be a make or break year for Toledo.

A true darkhorse, by the way, is Andrew Chapin. He's coming along very slowly, but he is coming along. I think it would be 4-5 years until he got a FIFA badge, but it is a long-term possibility.

I think Simmons and Geiger are as close as you can get to guarantees, it's just a question of how soon.
I don't believe that it will be Marrufo but you never know. Absolutely not for Chapin, not strong enough. Toledo is the number 1 choice for now I think. Simmons is not strong enough and Geiger needs more experience. Okulaja would be number one if he was a US citizen. Chico is also not strong enough nor experienced (plus, he's from Ohio :^). As for ARs, Wiencowski definitely in the next year.

[BC_Ref]

Kinda on topic: How is it decided on how MANY FIFA referees each country has? Does each country have a set amount or is it based on population/size? Some other factor?

Each country has a different amount. I believe the maximum on the men's list is 10 CR (not sure how many ARs - 10 or 20) assuming England has the max.

How they are set - not sure. I believe relative performance and the quality of your local professional leagues matters (since the tougher the domestic leagues, the more likely you'll have a solid group of refs tested week in and week out with potentially nasty games).

Also, my understanding is that FIFA will not turn down a national association's nomination for a FIFA badge barring something very unusual or failure to meet the requirements (both the fitness and the number of top matches in a country per year). However, FIFA doesn't have to give them any assignments - I've heard of cases where people have been on the list for a considerable period of time (5 to 10 years) and received less than 1 international (at any level) per year. In some cases, it is due to lack of performance. But others simply don't get the assignments and haven't obviously screwed-up in any of their national/international performances - no explanations given.

[Claymore]

Wiencowski will probably get his AR badge when Fereday retires (next year?)

I've reffed many games with Adam. Glad to say "I knew him when..."

[RushOnze]

There has been some rumors out of FIFA that all countries will have their list shortened because of the number of games available. I think something around 7 refs only.

[numerista]

People have said Okulaja has two issues, neither of which I've ever confirmed: A) he's not a citizen, B) he's over 40. If either is true, he's precluded from a FIFA badge. Point (A) can be solved, as it was with Prus. But if Point (B) is true, he has no chance.

Okulaja came to the US in 1982 and went to college after that, so he must be pushing 40, at least...
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041112&content_id=18875&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

[Leighs_babe]

well IF JAIR gets it it just shows you how sad the us soccer referee department is he not only ruined 3 referee's careers but he has continually dont it game in and game out.. I have heard a few AR's say they are fearfully of even stepping on the field with him.
As for ABBY he is too OLD
the others need some seasoning
as for AR;s no one will be put on there this year. And Tovar and Taylor are the next canidates.
FIFA is reducing the list to 7 referee's and 7 AR's

[MassachusettsRef]

And Tovar and Taylor are the next canidates.
Taylor slipped my mind. He's obviously in the next batch. As would Bill Dittmar, right? Or is he too old?

I hadn't thought of Tovar, but both he and Rockwell have got a lot of games this year. After Taylor and Dittmar, my guess for the order would be Morgante, Tovar, Wiencowski and Rockwell.

[NJ Ref]

You bet I’ve got to be biased. Geiger….being a Jersey guy…..although I think it will take a few years.

And Statesman, I think Geiger is 28 or 29, although, as you state, he does look like a teenager.

[Leighs_babe]

Order would actually be for the AR'S
Taylor Tovar.......................then Morgante, Rockwell,Wiencowski <<<<theses 3 just entered the league and as per requirements they must spend at least 2 years on the professional level,....
As for Dittmar, I am not sure his age but i think between age and just fed up with the politics...
for white badges... I go simmons, then Baldermo, Jair would be ranked 259 on my list. Mexican attitude

[whistleblowerusa]

Taylor slipped my mind. He's obviously in the next batch. As would Bill Dittmar, right? Or is he too old?

I hadn't thought of Tovar, but both he and Rockwell have got a lot of games this year. After Taylor and Dittmar, my guess for the order would be Morgante, Tovar, Wiencowski and Rockwell.
Taylor has been around way too long for him to get a badge now. Same with Tovar. He has been working MLS for about 5 years now. If he were to get one I think that would have happened when the chance came up. Dittmar is too old. Rockwell is not good enough. I don't beleive that the US will add any new AR to the FIFA list this year. Maybe in 2007 Wiencowski but no one else.

[Englishref]

In England, Andy D'Urso won't be nominated for the list in 2006, so Mark Clattenburg will take his place. England has a spare space from a couple of years ago, and that void will finally be filled by Martin Atkinson, who is only his first full season as a SG referee, altho he did take charge of 4 PL games last season whilst still a NL referee. He's done 4 PL games so far this season, so only needs 2 more by December, with the Fulham vs Liverpool game this weekend, he needs just 1 more.

Both guys fully deserve it, and I expect very big things for Clatts, given he's only 30. :cool:

[billf]

Clattenburg is very good from what I have seen.