Here are the MLS referees who will enforce the FIFA rules during the 2023 season.
Mark Allatin
Mark Allatin became an MLS referee in 2010, but his passion for soccer goes back much further.
In high school, he was a standout player and even won a national championship with the Dallas Texans.
After hanging up his cleats, he turned to officiating and has become one of the most respected referees in the United States.
Allatin’s experience and knowledge of the game make him a natural leader on the field, and he has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Fotis Bazakos
Fotis Bazakos has been officiating soccer matches since 1995 and became an MLS referee in 2011.
He has a reputation for being a no-nonsense official who enforces the rules with fairness and consistency.
Bazakos has worked some of the most important matches in MLS, including the 2017 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
He has also been called upon to officiate international matches, including the FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.
Allen Chapman
Allen Chapman is a veteran MLS referee who has been with the league since 2008.
He has officiated several high-stakes matches, including the 2018 MLS Cup Final between the Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers.
Chapman’s calm and measured demeanor on the field make him a respected leader among players and officials alike.
He has also been selected to officiate at the international level, with assignments in the CONCACAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Alex Chilowicz
Alex Chilowicz became an MLS referee in 2015 after a long career as a player and coach.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field and has become known for his consistent and fair officiating style.
Chilowicz has worked several important matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Final between the New York City FC and the Real Salt Lake.
He is highly respected by players, coaches, and fellow officials for his professionalism and dedication to the game.
Marcos DeOliveira
Marcos DeOliveira became an MLS referee in 2014 after a successful career as a player and coach in Brazil.
He has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top officials in the league, with a reputation for fairness and consistency.
DeOliveira has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2019 MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Atletico Madrid.
His extensive knowledge of the game, combined with his calm and authoritative demeanor on the field, make him a natural leader among officials.
Joe Dickerson
Joe Dickerson joined the MLS referee ranks in 2019 after years of working as an assistant referee in both the USL and NASL.
He has quickly established himself as a skilled and confident official, with a reputation for making fair and consistent calls.
Dickerson has worked several high-stakes matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
His passion for the game, combined with his professionalism and dedication, make him a rising star among MLS officials.
Filip Dujic
Filip Dujic became an MLS referee in 2018 after years of working in the youth and college ranks.
He has quickly made a name for himself as a talented and knowledgeable official, with a reputation for making fair and consistent calls.
Dujic has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City.
Ismail Elfath
Ismail Elfath has been an MLS referee since 2012 and has quickly become one of the most respected officials in the league.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2018 MLS Cup Final between the Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers.
Elfath’s authoritative and no-nonsense style of officiating make him a natural fit for high-pressure situations.
He has also been called upon to officiate international matches, including the FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, and 2022 World Cup.
Drew Fischer
Drew Fischer became an MLS referee in 2010 and has since become one of the league’s most experienced and respected officials.
He has officiated several high-profile matches, including the 2017 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Fischer’s calm and measured demeanor on the field make him a natural leader among officials, and he is highly respected by players and coaches alike.
Tim Ford
Tim Ford has been an MLS referee since 2018 and has quickly established himself as a talented and confident official.
He has worked several high-stakes matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.
Ford’s no-nonsense approach to officiating, combined with his professionalism and dedication, make him a rising star among MLS officials.
Jon Freemon
Jon Freemon has been an MLS referee since 2014 and has become known for his consistent and fair officiating style.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders.
Freemon’s extensive knowledge of the game and his calm and authoritative demeanor on the field make him a natural leader among officials.
Guido Gonzales Jr
Guido Gonzales Jr became an MLS referee in 2016 and has quickly become one of the league’s top officials.
He has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Final between the New York City FC and the Real Salt Lake.
Gonzales Jr’s knowledge of the game and his consistent and fair officiating style make him highly respected by players, coaches, and fellow officials.
Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Pierre-Luc Lauziere became an MLS referee in 2018 and has quickly established himself as a talented and knowledgeable official.
He has worked several high-stakes matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC.
Lauziere’s professionalism and dedication to the game make him highly respected by players, coaches, and fellow officials.
Jair Marrufo
Jair Marrufo has been an MLS referee since 2002 and has become one of the most experienced and respected officials in the league.
He has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2016 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Marrufo’s calm and authoritative demeanor on the field make him a natural leader among officials, and he is highly respected by players and coaches alike.
Rosendo Mendoza
Rosendo Mendoza became an MLS referee in 2018 and has quickly made a name for himself as a skilled and knowledgeable official.
He has worked several high profile matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the New York City FC and the New England Revolution.
Mendoza’s consistent and fair officiating style, combined with his passion for the game, have earned him respect from players, coaches, and fellow officials alike.
Ismir Pekmic
Ismir Pekmic has been an MLS referee since 2017 and has quickly established himself as a talented and confident official.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
Pekmic’s no-nonsense approach to officiating, combined with his professionalism and dedication to the game, make him a rising star among MLS officials.
Chris Penso
Chris Penso has been an MLS referee since 2009 and has become one of the most experienced and respected officials in the league.
He has officiated several high-profile matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Penso’s authoritative and no-nonsense style of officiating make him a natural fit for high-pressure situations.
Tori Penso
Tori Penso became an MLS referee in 2018 and has quickly established herself as a skilled and confident official.
She has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.
Penso’s professionalism and dedication to the game, combined with her no-nonsense approach to officiating, make her a rising star among MLS officials.
Michael Radchuk
Michael Radchuk has been an MLS referee since 2015 and has become known for his consistent and fair officiating style.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union.
Radchuk’s extensive knowledge of the game and his calm and authoritative demeanor on the field make him a natural leader among officials.
Victor Rivas
Victor Rivas has been an MLS referee since 2014 and has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top officials.
He has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2018 MLS Cup Final between the Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers.
Rivas’ knowledge of the game and his consistent and fair officiating style make him highly respected by players, coaches, and fellow officials.
Nima Saghafi
Nima Saghafi has been an MLS referee since 2014 and has become known for his calm and authoritative demeanor on the field.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.
Saghafi’s extensive knowledge of the game, combined with his professionalism and dedication to the sport, make him a respected leader among officials.
Robert Sibiga
Robert Sibiga became an MLS referee in 2015 and has quickly established himself as a skilled and knowledgeable official.
He has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City.
Sibiga’s consistent and fair officiating style, combined with his passion for the game, have earned him respect from players, coaches, and fellow officials alike.
Lukasz Szpala
Lukasz Szpala has been an MLS referee since 2017 and has quickly become one of the most respected officials in the league.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the New England Revolution and New York City FC.
Szpala’s calm and authoritative demeanor on the field, combined with his no-nonsense approach to officiating, make him a natural fit for high-pressure situations.
Ramy Touchan
Ramy Touchan became an MLS referee in 2017, after working as an assistant referee in both MLS and USL.
He has quickly established himself as a skilled and knowledgeable official, with a reputation for making fair and consistent calls.
Touchan has worked several high-stakes matches, including the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs match between the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United.
His passion for the game and dedication to fair play make him a rising star among MLS officials.
Ted Unkel
Ted Unkel has been an MLS referee since 2012 and has become known for his consistent and fair officiating style.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Unkel’s calm and authoritative demeanor on the field make him a respected leader among officials, and he is highly respected by players and coaches alike.
Rubiel Vazquez
Rubiel Vazquez became an MLS referee in 2015 after several years of working in the youth and college ranks.
He has quickly established himself as a talented and knowledgeable official, with a reputation for making fair and consistent calls.
Vazquez has worked several high-profile matches, including the 2021 MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and the Liga MX All-Stars.
His passion for the game, combined with his professionalism and dedication, make him a rising star among MLS officials.
Armando Villarreal
Armando Villarreal has been an MLS referee since 2011 and has become one of the most respected officials in the league.
He has worked several important matches, including the 2019 MLS Cup Final between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.
Villarreal’s authoritative and no-nonsense style of officiating make him a natural fit for high-pressure situations, and he has been selected to officiate at the international level, with assignments in the CONCACAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.