FIFA Referee Brian Hall was the featured speaker at a special meeting of referees and invited guests on hand to kick off this year's MYSA State Cup. The session was part of a series of continuing educational opportunities for selected Massachusetts referees.
A veteran of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan, Brian advanced further than an any other American referee in history. Besides his referee experience in the MLS and international competitions, he is also active as a coach of youth teams in Northern California. He has coached three teams to state championships.
Brian's main topic was the psychology of refereeing. The hour and half talk intertwined Brian's varied experiences at all levels of the game, from youth to the World Cup stage. He was able to bring a unique perspective to the group.
The discussion centered around human relations and their importance on the dynamics of the referee's game management. The topic was both engaging and relevant. The open discussion that followed was lively, and Brian's anecdotes and explanations were entertaining and informative.
The following day saw Brian walking the fields, checking out the games and talking with the referees. From there he went to Foxboro to referee the New England Revolution match against Kansas City.