MLS All-Star game Officials

[MassachusettsRef]

Not really too big of a deal, but...

THE REFEREES: Abbey Okulaja will be the referee for the MLS All-Star Game. The 2004 MLS Referee of the Year, this is his first MLS All-Star Game. The senior assistant referee will be Nate Clement, who returns to the All-Star Game for the second time after running the line in the 2002 game. The junior assistant referee will be Chris Strickland, who is making his third All-Star Game appearance. He ran the line in the 2003 game between the MLS All-Stars and Chivas, as well as last year's match between MLS and Fulham FC. The fourth official will be Terry Vaughn.

You know, right now, more than any other year in recent memory, MLS Cup seems way up for grabs. Last year, I saw Vaughn and Prus having great years, and everyone knew Stott was on the WC candidate list, so they were the contenders. This time, no on in particular has really distinguished themselves as being above an beyond their colleagues. If it's a FIFA--which it has always been, save Tamberino--I suppose it's Prus's year (Vaughn will get a few MLS Cups in the next decade or so, so why rush?). But I don't see Stott, Kennedy or Hall again, and I don't think Salazar is ready. Maybe Tim Weyland makes a comeback?

[USSF REF]

I know it's not his year... but....

GO GEIGER!

[ManiacalClown]

Gogoprus

[bluedevils]

...I don't think Salazar is ready.

What do you mean, he isn't ready? He is a FIFA referee. MLS Cup should be well within his capability. It's not England/Argentina in the World Cup final, for crying out loud.

[nylaw5]

The MLS Cup is not within his capability. Look at his past few years assignments and into the post season. I am not saying he has no potential but if you look who is assigned when there are big matches - its not usually Salazar.

[david58]

The MLS Cup is not within his capability. Look at his past few years assignments and into the post season. I am not saying he has no potential but if you look who is assigned when there are big matches - its not usually Salazar.
To echo bluedevils, shouldn't a FIFA referee be able to handle an MLS match, at any level? If a FIFA ref can't handle an MLS match, why would that ref be acceptable to FIFA?

[oldmanreferee]

It should be given to the 4 referees that are retiring from the FIFA panel.
hall, kennedy
clements and Lowry

[bluedevils]

The MLS Cup is not within his capability. Look at his past few years assignments and into the post season. I am not saying he has no potential but if you look who is assigned when there are big matches - its not usually Salazar.

Without getting into any particulars regarding Salazar...

The assignments a referee has received does NOT mean anything regarding how well he could handle a certain game or a certain level of game. Many factors play into determining assignments, especially at the higher levels. I hope people reading the ref threads don't actually make the mistake of assuming that assignments are distributed fairly, on merit, and without other negative influences. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[oldmanreferee]

Without getting into any particulars regarding Salazar...

The assignments a referee has received does NOT mean anything regarding how well he could handle a certain game or a certain level of game. Many factors play into determining assignments, especially at the higher levels. I hope people reading the ref threads don't actually make the mistake of assuming that assignments are distributed fairly, on merit, and without other negative influences. Nothing could be further from the truth.

YOU got that right!!!!!! it is on whom makes good with the assignors

[colins1993]

[/B]

YOU got that right!!!!!! it is on whom makes good with the assignors


Truer words were never spoken.

[Ref Flunkie]

Can I ask a question about the game and Okulaja's performance? Being that this was one of the things I was dinged on during my assessment; it seemed to be Okulaja did not have the best positioning and got in the way a lot. It seemed like he stuck to his diagonal very strictly without much deviation. I'm not saying I have any clue how MLS ref's should be positioned, but I'm curious if this is something that simply happens at higher levels or if this is indeed something that every referee needs to work on.

[Claymore]

Can I ask a question about the game and Okulaja's performance? Being that this was one of the things I was dinged on during my assessment; it seemed to be Okulaja did not have the best positioning and got in the way a lot. It seemed like he stuck to his diagonal very strictly without much deviation. I'm not saying I have any clue how MLS ref's should be positioned, but I'm curious if this is something that simply happens at higher levels or if this is indeed something that every referee needs to work on.
For what it's worth, this was a very difficult match to officiate, from a positioning perspective. You had two teams that really didn't know which way they were going - Chelsea because it's pre-season, MLS because half these guys never play together - so it makes it very difficult for anyone on the field to settle into a rythm. All you can do is try to stay out of the passing lanes (get wide) and sprint like hell when the play gets deep into the corners. I thought Abby did a good job.