Some interesting figures from the 2022 MLS Season: Total games: 476 Yellow cards: 2,046 — 4.30 per game (last year's average was 3.79 per game) Red cards: 96 — 0.20 per game Most games: REF: Lukasz Szpala —25 AR: Jose Da Silva — 31 VAR: Edvin Jurisevic — 44 Most YC: Chris Penso — 128 (5.57 per game) Most RC: Jon Freemon — 8 Number of referees who issued at least 100 YC — 7 Going to be interesting to see the playoff assignments. My prediction is: R1: Nima Saghafi R1: Allen Chapman R1: Armando Villarreal R1: Chris Penso R1: Alex Chilowicz R1: Rubiel Vazquez (1st playoff game) CS: Ted Unkel CS: Drew Fischer CS: Ismail Elfath CS: Joe Dickerson CF: Chris Penso CF: Allen Chapman F: Ismail Elfath
Would not have guessed that. Assignments are made, though not public. You're 3/6. Though I think it's certain that two of your incorrect picks will work the subsequent round. One of your picks above has not been retained--in any capacity--for the playoffs. Two of these correctly fill in two of the missed guesses you have in the first round, so they are unlikely to factor here. But I suspect your remaining two picks might be right. All in all, I think you have nine (maybe eight) of the names we'll see for whistles on the first ten matches. I have no advanced knowledge here, but I suspect your MLS Cup prediction is correct. I think Villarreal probably is a lock for one semi with the other one completely up in the air. The two names you have here are probably contenders, but it could be even more wide open. That second conference final slot might be the one that is most dependent on performance in October.
Did I miss a red card somewhere? Missing a few yellows is not surprising. EDIT: I only have 7 for Freemon. #MLSRefStats2022 REGULAR SEASONIncludes all games476 g, 4.26 Y/g, 95 R, 169 pens, 23.89 F/gHOME: 1.96 Y/g, 45 R, 119 pens, 11.81 FC/gAWAY: 2.30 Y/g, 50 R, 50 pens, 12.08 FC/gHOME RECORD: 232 W - 118 D - 126 L (1.710 PPG) pic.twitter.com/kqBz76Kqx4— MLS Referee Stats (@MLSRefStats) October 11, 2022
I think the final is between Chapman and Penso which is why I think we see them in the next round instead and the best performer in this round sees the conference final. I also said before that I would be very surprised to see Elfath on the final. Perhaps he earned the right through his performances but I believe he’s a one and done. You made the argument last time that a calamity in the first round is just as bad as the last and you’re right. But I don’t see him doing 2 games when 1 is enough.
You're giving away a little more than I did! Look, I think in a normal year it's between Penso and Chapman. But I think WC22 likely overrides things. Elfath has continued to get huge matches and PRO has seemed to support most of his controversial decisions. I think Webb and Geiger would even be sensitive to the fact that sending Elfath and his crew off with that big match would be helpful for them. But it's also very possible my ideas are misplaced. For me, I think it's Elfath on the final with Villarreal on a semi and a race for the last semi between Penso and Chapman. But if I'm wrong, then you're probably (mostly) right. I just don't see a scenario where Elfath would work only one match and sit on his hands until he's sent to Qatar. He has to work again... doesn't he? It is also worth noting that the last time the MLS Cup referee did not work an opening round match was 2013. So for 2014-2021, a clear pattern has emerged where PRO uses its designated final referee in the opening round.
Elfath named Referee of the Year and @coreyrock is Assistant Referee of the Year. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/isma...the-year-corey-rockwell-named-mls-assistant-r