The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) has assigned Mark Geiger to the MLS Cup final between the LA Galaxy and New England Revolution. Geiger was named MLS Referee of the Year and has been the best American referee all season, so it only makes sense that he has the whistle for the championship match.
FIFA assigned Geiger to referee a World Cup round of 16 match, making him the first American to ever call a World Cup knockout stage match. He was also the fourth official for a semifinal match, also a first for an American.
PRO's assignments in the playoffs have been strange, to say the least. Geiger hasn't refereed an MLS match since the very first match of the postseason way back on October 29 and in the four conference semifinal matches, only one was called by one of the three MLS Referee of the Year finalists
Geiger has been in charge of 13 MLS matches this season. He last officiated the Galaxy on October 25, and the Revs on August 16.
In addition to Geiger, Peter Malikowski and Joe Fletcher will be the assistant referees and Armando Villarreal will be the fourth official.