I did a couple of MLS Next matches last season, so I assume it went out to every single ref who did any of those games (even the HS freshman newbie AR I worked two of those games with).
It's just a mass email that goes out to literally everyone registered on their Assignr group. There's no selectivity whatsoever. Means literally nothing that we received it, like we were chosen due to performance or something. Just them throwing a mass email out there, seeing who applies, and making sure the games get covered.
First HS center assignment last night - and remarkably, all went pretty well. Thankfully, it was a pretty low level game overall, so there wasn't too much to deal with. And pretty much every time a player that I called something on looked at me with that 'what'd I do?' look, my quick explanation was received well. By the end, it was an 8-0 blowout, so aside from a caution or two late to make sure players calmed down, it ended up being a pretty easy game.
I'm interested to see what, if anything, changes under the new non-OMG leadership. I really like Grant and I hope he shakes things up to be more merit-based than before.
Just got back from a week helping mentor and develop military referees here in Canada. Enjoyable tournament, lots of great experience for everyone, and got a really cool challenge coin from the tournament as a token of appreciation for the work done.
On Saturday, for the first time since May, I worked a game with no hydration breaks. The wet bulb temperature at the start of the second half was 68! At first I regretted not changing into long sleeves, but once I got moving, it was perfect.
In my inbox: For those of you who are new, welcome to the group. My name is xxxx xxxx and I'm the US Soccer National Assignor for xxx state xxx. I also assign the MLS-Next Leagues and I was given your names as potential referees for these games. I am going to be looking for a lot of help this weekend, especially on Sunday. MLS has added a second division (NAL) so there are 55 games for this weekend that were just loaded today. I realize this is short notice so even partial sets will be a huge help.
Oh good, that happened everywhere? Our local "Tier 1" MLS Next assignor sent out a similar email: Hi Referees, You have been added to the US Officials group in Assignr, somewhat by design but a bit randomly as well. USO has tasked me with assigning the new Tier 2 of MLS Next. I already assign the tier 1 games through MLS Next Tier 1 group in Assignr, but those games are assigned through another group. I found referees in state in the zip copdes I now have games, I especially needs ARs, as many of these games are single or double headers. We do have high expectations for working these games, mainly fitness and professionalism, which befits the higher pay rates. More on that later.
I think they're both called Homegrown and Academy division now. And US Officials now managements both the Academy and NAL leagues.
Yes - in what has seemed like sort of a quiet move, MLS Next added a new level, Academy, and is using National Assignors for that level. At least in the region I know best, the clubs in the Academy level are definitely a level below the ECNL clubs - like the top team from the Academy clubs would generally be competitive with the third or fourth team from the ECNL clubs, and competed with them in local regional leagues and/or EA. I'm interested to see how it all plays out - the added work for the national assignors, the less-competitive-but-higher-paying games than ECNL, etc.
All competitive youth sports is a pathetic pay to play money grab now, soccer is surely by far the worst. I’m glad I got to cash out on my MLS next preseason scrimmage weekend when I’m probably never working in it again besides that.
MLS Next Homegrown teams who are part of actual MLS club structures Top third/half of ECNL Boys The rest of MLS Next "Homegrown" tier Bottom half of ECNL Boys MLS Next "Academy" tier IMO, based on quality and professionalism from what I've seen.
From what I've seen, MLS NEXT is actually seen higher than what ECNL provides. At least in my State. Generally, MLS NEXT to ECNL is what MLS NEXT Academy is to ECNL RL is not slightly higher. It all depends. And for what it's worth, MLS NEXT Academy Division does have non-National Assignors assigning.
I won't opine because I don't really know, the only youth I've done since I got my national badge has been MLS Next and Dallas Cup.
In theory, having a central assignor or organization assign MLS Next games is the correct thing. In reality, it's not practical since you have someone from another state assigning a U19 match with 3 guys they never heard of and wouldn't be able to pick out of a lineup instead of a "local" assignor who knows who is capable of handling the match and who the up-and-coming referees are to give them a chance to improve and show what they have. The emails we are all getting are not necessarily true. We have one local assignor who lost all of the MLS Next teams he/she was assigning but another one actually picked up two teams. I do not pretend that I understand what's going on in the background.
A lot of MLS NEXT assignors did not retain their clubs when RISE took over. Our SYRA took over the MLS NEXT (now Homegrown) for example. Lots of change this year.
Video The big question mark for my match on Saturday is, was there an offside - interfering with an opponent, or does the defender touch not reset offside in the leadup for the first goal. The buildup starts at 2:18. What you can't see is that #7, the goal scorer, is offside on the long ball, #9 is onside.
Suppose you mean #7 was in an offside position when ball was kicked from his teammate. Seems like a deliberate touch from defender, who was not being interfered with by 7. IMO on both
The basic thing to know about youth soccer is that everyone is now "elite," which means no one is elite.