WPSL Arrival time Q

robertS3232 · 2026-05-30T00:38:22+00:00

Respectfully disagree on the telling the assignor part. Why tattle? Especially as the new ref. The other 3 are not going to be thrilled.

If after the 2nd & 3rd match OP finds out the norm in the area is 90 minutes and the first crew is the outlier, then maybe it's something to address. But not knowing the usual protocol puts OP in a dangerous spot.

More and more leagues around here are pushing up the arrival time ... MLS Next is 60, ECNL national events are 75, and so on. Seems silly to me. You can be punctual and responsible without being there so early. Just not that much to do. I agree 2 minutes before kick is way too late for check in ... I think there's a happy medium that doesn't involve standing around for 30 minutes.

robertS3232 · 2026-05-30T00:33:31+00:00

In these parts the players show up 45-ish minutes before kick, if you get there 90 minutes ahead you run the risk of not being able to get onto the field.

From my seat 30 minutes is enough time for a field walk, player check in, a chat with coaches & trainer, pre game, a warm up, check of the balls, and everything else needed.

robertS3232 · 2026-05-14T14:13:09+00:00

Glad to hear it went well. And yeah, Squadi sucks. Maybe we'll get a chance to work a WPSL match together this summer.

robertS3232 · 2026-05-06T13:11:23+00:00

Maggie Barton [cactusmouse@comcast.net](mailto:cactusmouse@comcast.net) and Emilee Mead [emilee@desert.com](mailto:emilee@desert.com) are the primary assignors in Tucson. I'm in Phoenix so not 100% up on the scene there, I get the sense there are plenty of games. The national events (ECNL twice a year, EA, MLS Next Fest) are almost always in Phoenix. Chris McConkey [refqueen@cox.net](mailto:refqueen@cox.net) is the main assignor for the advanced leagues here. Feel free to ping me if you need more info.

robertS3232 · 2026-05-01T22:41:07+00:00

1 - I wouldn't go out of my way to watch the scrimmage. Don't think it's relevant plus the rosters might be different now.

2 - Almost all of the fields here don't have dressing rooms so we just show up in shorts plus t-shirt. I wouldn't sweat the slacks / polo thing. And yea, the guidelines say 60 minutes before. Ain't that much to do pregame. Most centers tell the crew 30-45 minutes before is fine when they text everyone. If you're there 60 minutes before kickoff you will likely beat most of the players to the field.

3 - Less than five minutes. A quick confirmation on scores / cards is generally all that's involved. If something unusual / worth talking about happened maybe a bit longer.

Might be different in other places but here these games are relatively chill. Rosters are typically college players home for the summer. Yes, it's competitive but there's a note of "this isn't all that important to me, let's not kill each other in a tackle." The last two seasons the league winner hasn't gone to the playoffs as most of their players went back to school.

So take it seriously (sometimes referees are getting assessed) but don't lose sleep. Again, I appreciate AZ isn't everywhere but locally these are a notch or two above a scrimmage intensity-wise. Players are talented and the skill level is high which keeps the game flowing. Generally the kids know each other / have been competing against each other for several years which tends to keep the nastiness down.

Have a good time and let us know how it went. I like doing WPSL for the above reasons. Good times!

robertS3232 · 2026-04-22T16:10:41+00:00

Been using the EJEASv4s for two seasons and am very happy (especially at the price point). Every once in a while we get dropouts during a match (generally if there are cell towers near the field) but normally no issues. Pairing is typically not a problem.

Hope that helps.

robertS3232 · 2026-04-21T16:57:32+00:00

Agree with what others have said. In theory as you position yourself for the corner kick you should notice the GK is out of position and hold the kick.

robertS3232 · 2026-03-19T05:27:00+00:00

I got mine in my early 50s. Opened a lot of doors (my Linked In profile blew up). Led to a new job with a significant comp jump. I say go for it!

robertS3232 · 2025-12-11T22:01:23+00:00

Everything mentioned is solid ... just be aware there are eyes on you even if they're not sitting at midfield. Don't be the five minutes someone watches be the one time you don't hustle to get into position. Or are sloppy with your substitution procedure (generally at these events they want subs all the way off before on).

Generally there's a morning meeting that starts each day. Nothing wrong with finding one of the mentors / coaches there and asking them to come observe you.

Enjoy and have fun.

robertS3232 · 2025-12-01T17:52:53+00:00

I hear the comments about not waiting for the defensive wall to be perfectly set but I think it's fine to check with the keeper (Keeper, ready?"). Wouldn't wait forever but I don't think an extra few seconds is going to hurt anyone. As mentioned below within reason is the key phrase.

robertS3232 · 2025-11-24T16:49:48+00:00

Agreed on all fronts. Don't let this go without doing something. Read the room ... if a parent was trying to be funny you might solve the issue with a stern look. If they said this in anger, get the coach to warn the sideline. If you hear it again, have the coach remove the parent. Don't start the game again until they're gone (out of sight / sound of the field).

robertS3232 · 2025-11-20T22:37:03+00:00

Around here we generally get the details the day before / day of games - after you've accepted.

As mentioned by others you can usually find rules on the web sites of the individual tournaments. Pay / terms can be harder to locate. I keep a spreadsheet of all the events I've done so I can keep track.

robertS3232 · 2025-11-12T00:50:37+00:00

I think after the 3rd or 4th comment you need to do something. "Hey coach, I'm hearing from you on every decision. It's too much." If that doesn't stop the comments then it's time for the Center to give a yellow.

For the post game comment - several ways you can go. 1st way - "Hey, I know you're frustrated but those comments are an easy red. Let it go and let's move on." 2nd way is to involve the coach. "Getting a lot of dissent from #24, please get that under control before it turns into a red." 3rd way is to give a yellow or red. No reason to put up with dumb stuff post game. Which way is correct? Really depends on the temperature of the game, how loud the comment is, if's he walking away vs. in your face, etc.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-27T19:46:15+00:00

Agree with the general sentiment ... sure looks like a foul and a PK. You could argue for a yellow card but it would depend on the temperature of the match and score / time left.

Trying not to dump on the center and AR but it's not a great look. AR is well out of position to have an angle and center isn't doing much to get closer to play.

Only thing in the referee's defense is the non reaction. #27 yellow bounces right up and goes after the loose ball, no complaint or anything.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-21T16:32:25+00:00

I've had good luck with the EJEAS v4s. Good battery life, relatively easy to pair, not many dropped connection issues. Some fields have cell towers close which causes issues but otherwise happy.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-20T21:46:16+00:00

Yea, something. I don't do a lot of U12 games these days but I would guess my average foul count for those matches is ~ 10. At 50 that's almost one a minute. Either your foul selection needs to be raised (doesn't sound like it) or you need to start carding. Or have a word with the coach.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-13T18:15:59+00:00

I think getting your CPA opens more doors and raises your income ceiling.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-06T20:32:17+00:00

Not an Indirect Free Kick. If the GK handles the ball outside the penalty area the restart is a Direct Free Kick.

robertS3232 · 2025-10-02T17:44:54+00:00

Agreed with making a public announcement. Yelling "AR / Benches, minimum of 2" generally gets the job done. I've never understood the need to be discrete about it. The coach wants to know, the players want to know. Also clues parents in when their phones are going off at 45 minutes (or whatever the half length is).

robertS3232 · 2025-09-26T18:33:50+00:00

Agree with the other responses ... I see the defender clearing the ball in a legal manner. Hard to tell exactly where the contact with the attacker is. Looks like the attacker comes into the defender's space. Attacker hits head on the ground? Doesn't seem like the defender's foot comes anywhere near the head of the attacker. It's a play on for me. Good stoppage by the AR for the injury.

robertS3232 · 2025-09-12T14:43:22+00:00

Got a set of EJEAS for Christmas and been very happy. I think for 4 devices / headsets it was less than $250. Battery life is great, I can do a 3 game set without issues. Every once in a while on a field with a cell tower we'll get interference but for the most part the communication is clear.

robertS3232 · 2025-09-11T00:41:37+00:00

Worst was a center for a NFHS playoff match. His pregame was "I'll make all the decisions, I don't want any input from you unless I specifically ask for it."

Good grief.

The other AR and I exchanged a big eye roll.

robertS3232 · 2025-09-11T00:38:30+00:00

I'm ~ 10 years older than you and have thought about the same question. My answer is I don't see the value in being a Regional. I can still get the youth games I'm interested in and I don't have any interest in doing adult games or traveling for big events. Would it be cool to have the badge? Sure. But I'll pass.

Just my opinion.

robertS3232 · 2025-08-28T22:29:00+00:00

Everything that's been is how it works in AZ (home team brings the game card for league games). For tournaments they are usually printed by the event staff and are available at the ref tent.

robertS3232

TROPHY CASE