04/19/2017 New England Revolution v San Jose Earthquakes Gillette Stadium (7:30pm ET) REF: HILARIO GRAJEDA AR1: Frank Anderson AR2: Claudiu Badea 4TH: Daniel Radford 04/21/2017 Toronto FC v Chicago Fire BMO Field (7:30pm ET) REF: SILVIU PETRESCU AR1: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho AR2: Peter Manikowski 4TH: Caleb Mendez 04/22/2017 Philadelphia Union v Montreal Impact Talen Energy Stadium (1:00pm ET) REF: NIMA SAGHAFI AR1: Eric Weisbrod AR2: Jason White 4TH: Mark Geiger Houston Dynamo v San Jose Earthquakes BBVA Compass Stadium (4:00pm ET) REF: ALLEN CHAPMAN AR1: Daniel Belleau AR2: Matthew Nelson 4TH: Marcos DeOliveira Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps Providence Park (4:00pm ET) REF: CHRIS PENSO AR1: Jeremy Hanson AR2: Kathryn Nesbitt 4TH: Alejandro Mariscal New England Revolution v D.C. United Gillette Stadium (7:30pm ET) REF: JOSE CARLOS RIVERO AR1: Brian Poeschel AR2: Jose Da Silva 4TH: Alan Kelly New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew Red Bull Arena (7:30pm ET) REF: JORGE GONZALEZ AR1: Jeff Muschik AR2: Giann Facchini 4TH: Robert Sibiga FC Dallas v Sporting Kansas City Toyota Stadium (8:00pm ET) REF: KEVIN STOTT AR1: Eduardo Mariscal AR2: Craig Lowry 4TH: Ted Unkel Real Salt Lake v Atlanta United Rio Tinto Stadium (9:30pm ET) REF: RICARDO SALAZAR AR1: Cameron Blanchard AR2: Peter Balciunas 4TH: Younes Marrakchi 04/23/2017 New York City v Orlando City Yankee Stadium (1:30pm ET) REF: JAIR MARRUFO AR1: Kyle Atkins AR2: Adam Garner 4TH: Alex Chilowicz LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders StubHub Center (4:00pm ET) REF: ISMAIL ELFATH AR1: Corey Parker AR2: Mike Rottersman 4TH: Baldomero Toledo Minnesota United v Colorado Rapids TCF Bank Stadium (6:00pm ET) REF: FOTIS BAZAKOS AR1: CJ Morgante AR2: Danny Thornberry 4TH: Drew Fischer
Along with receiving his third middle of the season, Saghafi was sent to Switzerland with ARs Kyle Atkins and Cameron Blanchard for time at the UEFA Center of Referee Excellence. https://www.instagram.com/p/BTBqJuTFidX/?taken-by=proreferees
I think it is now common knowledge that PRO tried to "fire" Geoff Gamble due to poor performances a couple of years ago, but had to reinstate him because they violated the CBA in regards to following proper protocol for termination. He is listed as one of the part time/full time referees on the PRO roster, but he hasn't done an MLS middle since 2014. I guess my question is will he ever do another middle again? It's apparent that PRO upper management don't want him, but are forced to keep him around due to the CBA. Is he only still around because there is some Canadian referee quota that needs to be met?
I think he just has to stay on the Referee list until he is not longer fit to work (age, failed fitness test, etc.), since that was the job he had before his firing. More surprising to me looking at the stats for the year is that Guzman hasn't seen a middle yet after 15 last year, and Edvin Jurisevic is still nowhere to be seen, while still staying on the FIFA panel.
Edvin is injured and rehabbing. Tore his groin pretty bad and as someone that has done that before it can be a long recovery.
Geiger got pulled last week because he had leg 1 of the CCL Final in Mexico. Maybe Marrufo has leg 2? EDIT 4/26: Nope, FMF Referee Cesar Ramos is on leg 2.
Regarding this match: New York City v Orlando City Yankee Stadium (1:30pm ET) REF: JAIR MARRUFO AR1: Kyle Atkins AR2: Adam Garner 4TH: Alex Chilowicz New York in all light grey and Orlando in all white. To me it seems like this monochromatic uniform combination isn't the best contrast for the referees. I don't follow either team, does this uniform color combo happen often with NYC matches?