Soccer fans, pundits, coaches, and players are all in agreement: the current youth development system is not ideal. Too many athletes are priced out from good academies, and coaching education is not developed enough to produce top tier managers. 

There is one aspect of the soccer landscape that has shown some progress, however, and it could reshape how all of us currently perceive the state of the world’s biggest sport in one of the world’s biggest nations. Referees are changing the game for the better. They teach the next generation of soccer players about what fouls are, when to take a corner kick, or what a handball is (it’s more complicated than ever to know).  

Despite displaying some improvement, just like many other aspects of the USSF, there are obvious opportunities for improvement that, if addressed, will affect the growth of soccer throughout the United States in a positive way. 

To become an official USSF referee, you need to pay a $40 course fee that instantly is reimbursed after your first match. You also need to take the online course and pass the test that covers all the necessary material. Once you get your credentials. You will be able to get in contact with an assigner in your local area who will then assign you to certain matches. There are other pathways to becoming a referee, however, and it can depend on your region.

There are approximately 110,000 grassroot referees in the United States for 2.5 million youth players that sign up to participate in youth soccer each year. For every grassroots referee, there are about 23 players. The U.S doesn’t have a referee shortage, but it doesn’t have a surplus either. As a result, people like David Garza are trying to make sure that the U.S will never have to worry about having enough officials to enforce the rules of the beautiful game. 

Garza has always enjoyed soccer, but he realized at a young age that his chances of going pro were slim to none. If he wanted to keep soccer in his life, he would have to find another way to do so. 

“I've always loved the sport of soccer. I played it growing up and into high school, but as I got older, I realized that going professional wasn't realistic,” Garza said. “I just didn't have the skills to keep up, but I still enjoy the game, and by becoming a referee, I (can) give back to those that also enjoy the sport… I would be doing my part.”

David is currently studying to become an official USSF referee. He’s already finished the online portion, and that’s left for him is to finish the in-person section of the training. His early experiences in the refereeing world, however, have not been ideal. Despite taking time out of his schedule to study, the resources provided have, in his opinion, not been suitable enough for his development. 

“I have only done the online course and I'm scheduled to do the in-person training later, so from what I can speak of, the online course itself, I felt that it was a bit rushed. It did go in detail, but overall, it took me maybe seven hours to complete and I don't feel like I'm that prepared for my first game.”

Nevertheless, with hopes of becoming a regional referee, Garza has to start from the grassroots level in order to get experience. His assignments will probably include youth games, which have a different level of pace and intensity to a senior men’s game. Garza is also aware that American parents/spectators don’t have the cleanest reputation when it comes to respecting officials.

“A big reason why some people don't get involved in refereeing is because of the environment that they're in (and) how the spectators react, especially after COVID.”

Garza is one of many who have answered the call to help officiate the world’s most popular sport in this country, but due to many factors outlined above, there are people who would want to become referees but are either discouraged from applying due to a mediocre online learning experience or frightened because of the pressure sport officials get from parents or other spectators in youth games. 

It is up to the USSF to find a way to ensure that new referees actually feel prepared for their first games while also fostering a better environment for current officials. It’s imperative for the further development of soccer in the United States.