Yankee Refs at the World Cup

 There's another Yank to watch this year in Brazil.

 
An article on MLSsoccer.com this morning quietly announced that an American Referee will be participating in a World Cup for the first time in more than a decade, and I must confess that it is an issue that I hadn't given a single thought to.  For all of the time I've spent considering the various nefarious intentions of referees from different countries during USMNT matches, I never really considered whether or not American referees were being represented at FIFA competitions.  But as the United States rises to prominence on the world footballing stage, the quality of our referees has to rise as well.

It's very possible that the inclusion of American mark Geiger - along with assistant referees Sean Hurd (USA and Joe Fletcher (Canada) - is partly recognition from FIFA for US Soccer's establishment of the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) in 2012.  Aimed at improved the quality of referees in all American and Canadian soccer leagues (not just MLS), the PRO has added legitimacy and accountability to the American referee ranks.  Whether or not Geiger is head and shoulders above other current or previous American refs is almost irrelevant, because his inclusion shows that the process is working.

Part of becoming entrenched within the culture of world football is becoming routinely present at the world's major tournaments.  I was embarrassed to just learn today that Geiger had in fact presided over the final of the 2011 U-20 World Cup in Columbia; the first time an American had reffed a final of a major mens international tournament.  This says an immeasurable amount about how far Americans have come in the eyes of the world, and that the anti American bias within football culture can be overcome.  The simple inclusion of an American ref in such a big spot says more than any news story ever could.

As weird as it is, I will actually be paying close attention to a referee in this year's World Cup.  During every game that he officiates I'll be hoping against hope that his name stays out of the headlines.  Every World Cup is marred by at least one mind bending red card or missed call that makes the viewer question the sanity/motives of the offending referee, and in 2014 it must not be Mark Geiger.  How then will I make snarky comments about international refs?

Last thing:  Geiger is still a High School Math teacher in New Jersey.  That is insane.  The fitness and endurance tests that these guys have to keep up with are more than substantial, and to be able to maintain that on top of a full time teaching job is nothing short of remarkable.  Refs in many countries have to maintain second jobs, but it still blows my mind that somebody could work both jobs effectively.

Well done Mark Geiger, you are officially added to the list of Americans To Watch in Brazil.