Natalie Simon will become the first Black woman to referee a MLS match when she takes charge of Saturday’s game between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake.
On Wednesday, the Professional Referee Organization confirmed Simon will be the head official for the match when announcing its week 32 MLS assignments.
Simon has served as the fourth official for several MLS games this season, as well as the head official for NWSL and USL Championship matches.
The MLS assignment will be only the latest bit of history Simon has made in her refereeing career. In 2022, Simon became one of four American women to hold a FIFA international refereeing badge, the highest honor for a referee, and the first Black American woman to do so.
Last year also saw Simon take charge of her first U.S. women’s national team match.
Tonight’s center referee is Natalie Simon, the first Black woman to earn a FIFA badge.
This will be her first match as center referee for the #USWNT. pic.twitter.com/Mu2PLC9clF
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 12, 2022
“I spent a lot of time wondering if I belonged,” Simon told the Los Angeles Times last year. “I spent most of my career questioning if I was good enough. I think a lot of Black people, especially Black women, can relate to that.”
Simon was the first Black woman to earn a FIFA badge, but she has now been joined by Alyssa Nichols.
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