Upstate South Carolina Referee

SING UP NOW FOR START OF FALL

(Only submit if you’re 100% sure you can work, do not commit if you may have a conflict. Declining games is unacceptable and will affect future assignments)

ECNL is a high matches and new referees should NOT be taking center off the go. New referees SHOULD email and request AR only for these matches to get experience and help fill any holes in schedule.

Folarin Balogun will be AVAILABLE for USMNT's round of 16 match against Belgium with his one-game red-card ban suspended, per The Athletic

HUGE for USA 🔥

More details below

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸❤️💙

Fr8 yard doesn’t open until kickoff time so we are moving across the street to Fifth Third Park! Steven and Taylor will be there at 7:30pm handing out coins to anyone who hasn’t received one yet.

Let us know if you plan to stop by so we can see you! Outdoor venue with drinks and food available for purchase!

⚽ Referee Mentor Needed – Fall Season ⚽

We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced referee to serve as a mentor for the upcoming fall season. This individual will play an important role in developing and supporting new and developing officials through on-field observations, feedback, and guidance.

Responsibilities include:
• Attending assigned matches throughout the fall season
• Providing constructive feedback and mentorship to referees
• Assisting with referee development and retention efforts
• Serving as a positive role model within our referee community

If you are passionate about referee education and helping officials grow both on and off the field, we would love to have you join our team.

Please reach out if you are interested or would like additional information.

Congratulations to our two Upstate referees who were selected for the FIFA World Cup Match tickets today! Each ARA from all districts had the opportunity to take a fellow referee to a match with tickets from the amazing State Referee Board. Unfortunately our local ARA , Taylor, was unable to travel for the match but was grateful for Michelle and Evan to take her place and join two local Aiken officials at today match! ❤️⚽️ Both referees,Evan and Michelle, attended our spring academies to sharpen and showcase their referee abilities. Michelle Melendez was recently selected as an official in the ECNL showcase game from her professionalism and poise as an offical. She formerly officiated in NY and has now become an official in South Carolina for the past few years. She is helping pick up last minute games and traveling to other states with SC crews to continue improving . Evan Melendez began officiating as a teen and continues to grow and has jumped out of the house multiple times this past spring to help with last minute games as well as out ECNL event when we had a shortage last minute. We are extremely grateful for the referee board for providing this opportunity and look forward to more (smaller) giveaways in the future! If you want an opportunity to win tickets and gear follow our social media pages and come out to some of our fun referee nights and training we are working on for the upcoming season! Keep an eye out for the other 4 districts attending World Cup games in July as well! ✨

Update: our USA Watch Party location has been moved! Join us today June 19th at the Mill in Fountain Inn, SC for the referee watch party! 3:00pm kickoff. ⚽️🇺🇸 Big Screen, Great people. Let’s go USA.

Law 5 clarifies that the referee may apply advantage when a team incorrectly takes a restart (free kick, throw-in etc.), if the ball is in play and the opposing team can benefit from the advantage (e.g. they gain possession of the ball).

Keep up to date with all Law changes: bit.ly/Changes26_27

Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_

FIFA and the IFAB have approved a major set of new rules designed to speed up the game and eliminate time-wasting ⏱️❌

1️⃣ 5 seconds for throw-ins & goal kicks (or you lose possession/give up a corner!).

2️⃣ Expanded VAR power for second yellows and corner kicks.

3️⃣ 10 seconds flat for substituted players to leave the pitch.

4️⃣ A mandatory 60-second wait on the sidelines after receiving medical care.