I guess there's still a chance this might change, but Pablo Maurer of The Athletic is reporting that Tori Penso is going to be the referee of the DC United @ Nashville match on September 23, 2020. She'll be the first woman to have the whistle in an MLS match since Sandy Hunt back in 2000. For the first in over 20 years, a woman will be the center referee of an MLS match. Tori Penso will call #DCU vs #EveryoneN on the 23rd of September, I've been told.Last time this happened: Sandy Hunt, 5/13/2000.— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) September 14, 2020
Not sure when the assignment was made, but its possible that this call helped her. She took control, even in delaying the caution till she made sure the advantage was lost. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of thing not even every MLS referee would handle well: pic.twitter.com/3TJTvlbzoI— Matthew Cox (@UnSub_Matt) September 7, 2020
It's not a rumor. The assignment is made, it just isn't supposed to be published yet. If something were to change, the early disclosure could be a reason, which is why those here who have access and info typically don't post before official disclosure. But a change is highly unlikely in this situation, given the questions it would raise. I understand the argument that a single assignment shouldn't warrant a separate thread. But this is pretty big news and, on this board, we've given similar attention to Frappart and Steinhaus. I'm more concerned about a distinct thread treating the eventual performance--rather than the news of the assignment--differently and putting her more under a microscope. That would be unfair to her, in my opinion. So my inclination is to close this thread when the match actually arrives and include any analysis in the weekly thread.
Game sheets went out to the teams yesterday so it's officially official at this point. There was some mild concern that the leak may have jeopardized the assignment, but the potential blowback for the league would not have been desirable. Also, I suspect the league orchestrated the leak anyway, but that's purely speculation.