U.S. Soccer is having problems with it's online registration site. Until further notice, please call the U.S. Soccer office directly if you still need to register for 2010.

These are the four numbers to reach the referee department for the USSF:

• Steve Murry [312] 528-1214
• Elena [312] 528-1213
• Adrian Garibay [312] 528-1275
• Referee Office Assistant [312] 528-1215

Earlier this year the National Referee Committee met with the U.S. Soccer technical staff and discussed the need to review the "List of Approved Games" and our approach to the assessment requirements for National Referees. It was determined that the current "List of Approved Games" no longer adequately meets the referee development needs of U.S. Soccer. To that end, after several months of work, a new method of placing games into "Categories" has been reviewed and approved by U.S. Soccer.

Games are now placed into three specific categories and referees will be required to be assessed at different categories based on Referee Grade. The "List of Approved Games" will no longer be used and will not apply to any future assessments. The new method is effective December 1, 2009 thru November 30, 2010 and applies to all existing National Referees and National Candidates. Please see the chart outlining the new method. Please review it carefully as it will affect anyone wishing to remain or become a U.S. Soccer National Referee.

Please contact Adrian Garibay at agaribay@ussoccer.org or 312/528-1258 should you have any questions.

 National Referee Assessment Requirements - Announcement

 National Referee Assessment Requirements - Categories

The focus of this document is to provide information in a compressed format on matters which are of concern to new officials but which are not straight "laws of the game" knowledge. All the topics discussed (handling coaches, participating in the pregame meeting, getting assignments, developing confidence, etc.) are clearly covered in the clinics we run to certify new officials. Experience has shown, however, that having a concise, summarized guide for these matters will provide opportunities for our new referees to study and refresh their recollection of our training even after the class is over.

USSF recommends that "Information for New Referees" be distributed to everyone completing the entry level clinics. The final page of the document is provided so that students may fill in contact information for anyone who might be able to provide assistance to them in their first several seasons.