Rumour has it that the fellows who will officiate at the USASA (US Adult Soccer Assoc] Regionals are only state level referees who are being looked at by powers-that-are for national badges. If this is having any substance, what is the process of decision making in your state/region? Who provides of a list of likely candidates and who approves?
Are you able/willing to give any more details about the rumor? I had not heard the rumor previously and have NO inside information, but it seems plausible -- at least the part about State Referees. I don't really know about the "who are being looked at by powers-that-are for national badges" part. With the increased assessment requirements for national referees and national referee candidates, and the introduction of the three-category game matrix, the games at USASA Regional Finals are no longer as useful to nationals and candidates for assessment purposes. It would stand to reason that fewer national referees will be attending USASA Regional Finals starting this year. National referees need just 1 assessment as referee on a Category 3 game, and 4 on Category 2. Candidates need 3 Cat 2 and 3 Cat 3. Thru 2009, all games at adult regionals were on the pro list -- every division, male or female. This year, none of the female divisions count. The male divisions count as Category 3.