Polish media is reporting that Webb has invited Marciniak to officiate MLS matches and Marciniak has accepted. Unclear if it will be 2018 season after the WC or starting with 2019 season, but translation indicates he would come "several times" for "2-3 week intervals." If true and confirmed, I would think PSRA might have something to say about this. Polish-language link here: https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/pilka-n...a-w-swiat-polak-bedzie-sedziowal-w-usa-i-azji
This thread gained no traction here, but for what it's worth several MLS referees were told in no uncertain terms by Webb that the story--at least as it relates to MLS--is not true.
I don't think so. Didn't the Scottish referees' union strike a few years back? That's just one case that comes to mind.
China. The article said he’s going to China on contract and then had made an arrangement with MLS. The China part could still be true.
Maybe with guys at the WC, injuries, having VARs suck up an extra ref per game, he may just come to help out with some of the summer friendlies so we have enough PRO guys to cover MLS? Just a random thought. Although that sucks for our guys too, because those are the $$$$$ games.
Aren't the summer friendlies back to being Rick Eddy's assignment? Nothing or very little to do with Webb, from what I understand. Also, Marciniak will be at the WC. The time of those summer friendlies will be the only break he has. From asking around, I think this might just be a negotiating ploy via the media. "I'm going to the US & China" has a way of getting people's attention.
Eddy and US Soccer assign those games from my understanding. They certainly assigned them last year, especially if you look closely at some of the assignments. You had local grade 6 state referees running lines on matches involving Barcelona. I'm assuming it hasn't changed.