2024 U.S. Soccer Men’s and Women’s Referee of the Year Award Bios

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Referee of the Year Award

Statistics and assignments provided by PRO and Concacaf on November 18, 2024. Subject to updates based on final matches of the season

Nominees - Male

2024 U.S. Soccer Men's Referee of the Year Award Bios

Kyle Atkins (FIFA Assistant Referee)

An MLS Assistant Referee since 2014 and member of the FIFA Panel since 2018, Atkins has served as an AR in 23 MLS matches this season, including three MLS Cup Playoffs matches. Appointed assistant referee for the 2024 MLS Cup Final.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 2
  • Copa America – Group Stage
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – Play-In
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – League B
  • 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup – Semifinal
  • Concacaf Central American Cup – Quarterfinal
  • 2024 Leagues Cup – Semifinal

Guido Gonzales, Jr (PRO Referee)

An MLS Referee since 2018, Gonzales has officiated 24 matches, including two MLS Cup Playoffs matches in 2024. He also had the honor of overseeing the 2024 MLS All-Star Game. Appointed center referee for 2024 MLS Cup Final.

Corey Parker (FIFA Assistant Referee)

An MLS Assistant Referee since 2011 and member of the FIFA Panel since 2015, Parker has served as an AR in 23 MLS matches, including three MLS Cup Playoffs matches, in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 2
  • Copa America – Group Stage
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – Play-In
  • 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup – Semifinal
  • 2024 Leagues Cup – Quarterfinal

Ismir Pekmic (PRO Referee)

An MLS Referee since 2020, Pekmic officiated 18 matches, including two MLS Cup Playoffs matches in 2024. Appointed fourth official for the 2024 MLS Cup Final.

Armando Villarreal (FIFA Referee)

An MLS Referee since 2012 and member of the FIFA Panel since 2015, Villarreal officiated 17 MLS matches, including two MLS Cup Playoffs matches in 2024. He also oversaw the memorable 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final between LAFC and Sporting Kansas City.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • Copa America – Group Stage (VAR)
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – League A Group Stage (Referee & 4th Official)
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – Play-In (4th Official)
  • Concacaf Champions Cup – Quarterfinal (Referee)
  • Concacaf Central American Cup – Semifinal
  • 2024 Leagues Cup – Semifinal (Referee)

Nominees – Female

2024 U.S. Soccer Women's Referee of the Year Award Bios

Brooke Mayo (FIFA Assistant Referee)

An MLS Assistant Referee since 2020, and member of the FIFA Panel since 2018, Mayo served as an AR in 20 MLS matches, including one MLS Cup Playoffs match in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Quarterfinal
  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 2
  • Copa America – Group Stage (Assistant Referee & 5thOfficial)
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – Group Stage & Play-In
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – 3rd Place
  • Concacaf W Gold Cup – Quarterfinal & Semifinal
  • Concacaf Central American Cup – Semifinal

Kathryn Nesbitt (FIFA Assistant Referee)

An NWSL Assistant Referee since 2013 and MLS Assistant Referee since 2015, Nesbitt has been a member of the FIFA Panel since 2016 and was an AR in 18 MLS matches, including three MLS Cup Playoffs matches in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Quarterfinal
  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 2
  • Copa America – Group Stage (5th Official)
  • Concacaf W Gold Cup – Quarterfinal & Semifinal
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – 3rd Place
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – League A Group Stage & Play-In
  • Concacaf Champions Cup – Round One & Quarterfinals
  • Concacaf Central American Cup – Semifinal

Alyssa Nichols (FIFA Referee)

An MLS/NWSL referee since __, Nichols has been on the FIFA Panel since 2023 and oversaw 13 NWSL matches, including a Quarterfinal and NWSL Championship match, in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup – Group Stage (Referee) & Semifinal (4th Official)
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup – Group Stage (Referee & 4th Official)
  • 2024 Leagues Cup – Group Stage (Referee)
  • NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Final (Referee)
  • NWSL Challenge Cup (4th Official)

Tori Penso (FIFA Referee)

An NWSL Referee since 2015, MLS Referee since 2020, and a member of the FIFA Panel since 2021, Penso oversaw nine MLS matches, including one MLS Cup Playoffs match in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • Women’s Olympic Football Tournament– Quarterfinal (Referee) & Bronze Medal (4th Official)
  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 2
  • Copa America – Group Stage (4th Official)
  • 2023-2024 Concacaf Nations League – 3rd Place (Ref)
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – Group Stage & Play-In (Referee)
  • Concacaf W Gold Cup – Quarterfinal & Semifinal (Referee)
  • Concacaf Central American Cup – Semifinal

Natalie Simon (FIFA Referee)

An MLS Referee since 2020 and member of the FIFA Panel since 2022, Simon oversaw five MLS matches and two NWSL matches in 2024.

Other top assignments in 2024:

  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Round 1 (Referee)
  • 2024 FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup – Round of 16 (Referee)
  • 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League – Play-In (4th Official)
  • Concacaf W Gold Cup – Group Stage (Referee) & Quarterfinal (4th Official)
  • 2024/2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup – Group Stage (Referee & 4th Official)
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