MLS referees get a bad rap from the media, players and posters on this forum at a time, but I don't think even we, as regular posters and followers of MLS refereeing, really appreciate just how far MLS referee has come since PRO came along. There is always room for improvement, but the standard of refereeing and quality of game control is night and day better than what is seen 10 years ago much less 15-25 years ago. I came across this Most Memorable Moments at Bridgeview for the Chicago Fire on the MLS website (the Fire are moving back to actually Chicago next year). https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...-some-most-memorable-moments-seatgeek-stadium Check out the highlights and some of the key disciplinary incidents from a playoff game in 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=WdoYRfw6gRk Easy and simple fouls missed/ignored for the purpose of "game flow." Blatant yellow cautions not given, blatant red cards down graded to yellow. We even had a player blast the ball into the stands/bench and no disciplinary action taken. Shove into the sideboards at the 3:44 minute mark. No foul called. Player frustrated and bats the ball away then seconds later, while the ball is in play, just blasts the ball into first row. Nothing given except telling the player to off the field and get the blood clean off his shirt. Really shows just how wild west some MLS games used to be. Not all of this is down to the referees, to be fair. except in this case. Alex Prus genuinely had his own rules of managing matches that were even extreme by MLS standards. How Alex Prus ever got a FIFA badge and how he did so many big MLS games and US Open Cup Finals is one of the great mysteries of US Soccer. He didn't run. He didn't call fouls and he didn't believe in giving red cards.
The MLS refs used to be comically bad, and now they're just really incompetent. I guess that's an improvement. Maybe in 5 years they'll be "almost a little consistent"
I think you're being a bit harsh here. While Refs the world over constantly attend meetings and and hone their skills on the field the "fans"have remained remarkably consistent since 19 Dec 1863 when Barnes FC and Richmond FC played the 1st match in Association Football.
Well...as I am considerably older than @IASocFan the mind is willing but the body is weak. I lament that I had to hang up my whistle 20 yrs ago but look forward to reliving my on/off field experiences reading the posts here.
Kinda goes here I guess: https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/premier-league-var-mls-video-replay-howard-webb-20200106.html MLS will not incorporate the virtual offside line technology that has caused a storm of controversy in the English Premier League, at least for now.
Not exactly sure that this goes here either: Fletcher appointed PRO manager of senior assistant referees Jan 13, 2020 https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020...pointed-manager-of-senior-assistant-referees/