Robert Sibiga Named MLS Referee of the Year, Cory Richardson Named MLS Assistant Referee of the Year
Published on November 19, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Major League Soccer and the Professional Referee Organization today announced Robert Sibiga as MLS Referee of the Year and Cory Richardson as MLS Assistant Referee of the Year-both for the first times in their respective careers.
Sibiga has accumulated 138 regular season assignments in his seven-year MLS career and has also presided over Audi MLS Cup Playoffs matches, the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, and the 2012 United Soccer League Championship Final.
Assistant Referee Cory Richardson continues his rise through the ranks. During his four-year MLS career, Richardson's 70 assignments include the 2021 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, 2020 MLS Cup and the 2017 National Women's Soccer League Championship. In addition, Richardson has been nominated by U.S. Soccer to the FIFA International Panel of Assistant Referees.
Nominated by the Professional Referee Organization, candidates for both MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year were voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and MLS players. Below is the voting breakdown:
Voting Results
REFEREE PLAYER CLUB MEDIA TOTAL
Sibiga, Robert 37.50% 60.60% 34.00% 44.03%
Marrufo, Jair 27.10% 24.20% 34.50% 28.60%
Villarreal, Armando 35.40% 15.20% 31.50% 27.37%
ASST. REFEREE
PLAYER CLUB MEDIA TOTAL
Richardson, Cory 28.10% 48.50% 40.40% 39.00%
Anderson, Ian 30.70% 27.30% 39.40% 32.47%
Anderson, Frank 41.10% 24.20% 20.20% 28.50%
MLS Referee of the Year Winners
2021: Robert Sibiga
2020: Ismail Elfath
2019: Allen Chapman
2018: Alan Kelly
2017: Allen Chapman
2016: Alan Kelly
2015: Alan Kelly
2014: Mark Geiger
2013: Hilario Grajeda
2012: Silviu Petrescu
2011: Mark Geiger
2010: Kevin Stott
2009: Alex Prus
2008: Jair Marrufo
2007: Brian Hall
2006: Brian Hall
2005: Brian Hall
2004: Abiodun Okulaja
2003: Brian Hall
2002: Kevin Terry
2001: Paul Tamberino
2000: Paul Tamberino
1999: Paul Tamberino
1998: Paul Tamberino
1997: Esse Baharmast MLS Assistant Referee of the Year Winners
2021: Cory Richardson
2020: Kathryn Nesbitt
2019: Brian Dunn
2018: Joe Fletcher
2017: Corey Parker
2016: Frank Anderson
2015: Corey Parker
2014: Paul Scott
2013: Kermit Quisenberry
2012: Ian Anderson
2011: Corey Rockwell
2010: Craig Lowry
2009: Greg Barkey
2008: Kermit Quisenberry
Major League Soccer Stories from November 19, 2021
- Seattle Supports Sounders FC as the Club Moves Straight Ahead into 2021 Playoff Campaign - Seattle Sounders FC
- Inter Miami CF Academy to Launch U-16 Team, Hires Coaches - Inter Miami CF
- Taty Castellanos Receives his 2021 MLS Golden Boot Award - New York City FC
- New York Head to Philadelphia for Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Matchup - New York Red Bulls
- Sporting KC Hosts Vancouver in MLS Cup Playoffs - Sporting Kansas City
- Five Takeaways from the Rapids' Regular Season - Colorado Rapids
- Austin FC Exercises Transfer Option for Žan Kolmanič - Austin FC
- El Salvador, Chile Men's National Teams to Meet at Banc of California Stadium December 11 - Los Angeles FC
- Robert Sibiga Named MLS Referee of the Year, Cory Richardson Named MLS Assistant Referee of the Year - MLS
- Orlando City, Pride to Host Annual Orlando City Foundation Turkey Giveaway Presented by Publix on Monday, November 22 - Orlando City SC
- Charlotte FC to Select Five Players in MLS Expansion Draft on December 14 - Charlotte FC
- Charlotte FC to Select Five Players in MLS Expansion Draft on December 14 - MLS
- Columbus Crew Announces 2021 Team Award Winners - Columbus Crew SC
- Samuel Piette Bowvember Ambassador - Club de Foot Montreal
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