November 30, 2018 - 9:05 AM
TORONTO - Canadian Joe Fletcher has been named MLS assistant referee of the year.
The 42-year-old chartered accountant from St. Catharines, Ont., by way of Niagara Falls, won 40.34 per cent of the vote by MLS players, clubs and media. Corey Rockwell was second (36.89 per cent).
Alan Kelly, slated to officiate this year's MLS Cup, was voted referee of the year for the third time in four years. The awards were announced by Major League Soccer and the Professional Referee Organization.
Fletcher, who worked the 2014 and '18 World Cups, reached a milestone with his 100th MLS match on Aug. 25. His resume also includes two MLS Cups (2014, 2016), CONCACAF Gold Cup final (2008) and two Canadian Championship finals (2011, 2015).
Fletcher, who has been on FIFA officiating list since 2007, was 15 when he took his first officiating course.
Kelly, a 43-year-old Irishman, has been a PRO referee since 2014. He officiated the 2016 MLS Cup between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounder.
He got 46.43 per cent of the vote, ahead of Robert Sibiga (29.16 per cent).
News from © The Canadian Press, 2018