Toledo/Barkey/Quisenberry/Geiger assigned to final

[GAreferee]

TODAY'S REFEREE ...

Today's referee is Baldomero Toledo of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. This is Toledo's first MLS Cup Final. In his fifth MLS season, Toledo is one of four full-time professional referees under the program started by U.S. Soccer earlier this year. Toledo became a FIFA referee in 2006 after registering with U.S. Soccer originally in 1989.
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The senior assistant referee is Greg Barkey, from Succasunna, N.J. This is Barkey's fourth appearance on the lines in an MLS Cup Final, having previously officiated in 1997, 2002 and 2005. The junior assistant referee is Kermit Quisenberry from DeLeon Springs, Fla. Quisenberry has been on the line once previously in an MLS Cup Final, 2004. The fourth official is Mark Geiger, from Beachwood, N.J.
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For his MLS career, Toledo has run the center for 76 regular season games, and another three in the MLS Cup Playoffs. During the 2008 season, Toledo was the referee in 21 matches. He called an average of 25.4 fouls per games (just slightly more than the league average of 24.8 per game), and showed 91 yellow cards, an average of 4.3 per game (league average: 3.59). Toledo sent off 10 players in the 21 games - the most of any MLS referee - and also whistled 11 penalty kicks, also the most among the 27 players to referee MLS matches. Toledo ran the center for the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series between Houston and New York.


sourse: www.mlsnet.com

[USSF REF]

I think they made this assignment a while ago...

I think it's odd that two officials from NJ will be on the crew... not that I mind by any means, being a native son of NJ and all -- but it seems like it could raise questions among some people in Ohio.

I don't think that their location will effect their performance in any way though.

Also, I think it odd that a referee who worked one of the teams in the final, also worked them 2 matches ago in the quarterfinal...


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All that aside, I think this is an awesome crew, and I'm really looking forward to watching the game!

[Pierre Head]

Good to see that he led the league in red cards!

Perhaps this is a reaction to last year's lenient officiating in the Final.

Hopefully anyone who head butts an opponent will be sent off this year.

Seriously, this is a deserved appointment for Toledo, and also sends a message that things are supposed to be different now from the officiating perspective.

PH

[saabrian]

TODAY'S REFEREE ...

Today's referee is Baldomero Toledo of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

That's unfortunate. Toledo always looks like he has a chip on his shoulder, like he's begging for someone to do something so he can card them. Too bad it's not Marufo. Seems like the ref of the year should get the most important game of the year.

[ctreferee]

That's unfortunate. Toledo always looks like he has a chip on his shoulder, like he's begging for someone to do something so he can card them. Too bad it's not Marufo. Seems like the ref of the year should get the most important game of the year.

Thats hasnt happened in a year or two, Hall was the ref of the year last year and Prus did the final.

[GOOOOAL!!]

That's unfortunate. Toledo always looks like he has a chip on his shoulder, like he's begging for someone to do something so he can card them. Too bad it's not Marufo. Seems like the ref of the year should get the most important game of the year.

I think the real MLS Cup was played by the Fire - Crew last week. Ref of the year doesn't necessarily mean that they are the best for the particular game. I think Toledo will be needed in this game as NY will likely be hacking to slow and disrupt the Crew. I think a heavy hand might be needed to control the game and make it reasonably fun to watch.