US referees with colored socks?

[RefIADad]

An interesting new addition to the Official Sports website. OSI is the official provider of referee kit for United States referees.

1303Y Solid Yellow Sock with Black OSI Logo

Since 1984, Official Sports,has been dedicated to serving the apparel and equipments needs of only soccer referees. As part of this dedication, Official Sports International is proud to be the exclusive referee uniform supplier to both U.S. Soccer and NISOA (College Referees). Official Sports...

officialsports.com

I have a very, very hard time thinking the US Soccer Federation will mandate colored socks. They may make it an option, which would allow referees in our lower professional divisions/high amateur divisions to wear them. For example, referees in Major League Soccer wear colored socks that match the shirt similar to UEFA referees since they wear Adidas kits. Our referees in the NWSL (women's top-flight) and USL divisions (second through fourth divisions) still wear the Official Sports/USSF kit and currently only wear black socks.

I sure don't see young referees buying colored socks. I also don't see those of us who work multiple games in a day and are normally racing to get to our next game wanting to change socks every time we change a shirt color.

So for me, if USSF provides it I might purchase a pair for those upper-level games where that's our only game for the day. As for your typical Saturday afternoon, I'm sticking with black.

 

[Degnann]

I own a red and blue pair of socks for if a team are wearing black to avoid any clashes. But as you say would still be black if avoidable

 

[RefIADad]

I own a red and blue pair of socks for if a team are wearing black to avoid any clashes. But as you say would still be black if avoidable

While everything is fluid here in the US, the current status is that my son's team is likely going to schedule non-tournament games individually as friendlies with other teams. Several neighboring states either have issues with rising numbers or overbearing politicians, so we are kind of on an island for being able to play right now.

That being said, I'd say the odds are pretty high that I'll be officiating many of these friendlies. It takes one variable out of contact tracing, and it eases some of the burden of assigning officials. Plus, as friendlies, any coach or parent upset that I'm working my son's game has priorities out of whack. I just might buy a pair of these to wear during some of these friendlies as a change of pace. My son's team wears navy and white shirts with navy socks, so yellow socks would be a good contrast.

 

[Scotty Ref]

I own a red and blue pair of socks for if a team are wearing black to avoid any clashes. But as you say would still be black if avoidable

Really not required. SPL refs wear black socks in all games no matter what colour sock the team is wearing, if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us.

Towards the end of the Diadora sponsorship we all had various coloured socks, for a few seasons, there have been no adverse effects after the last 10 years of only black socks.

 

[Degnann]

Really not required. SPL refs wear black socks in all games no matter what colour sock the team is wearing, if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us.

Towards the end of the Diadora sponsorship we all had various coloured socks, for a few seasons, there have been no adverse effects after the last 10 years of only black socks.

Probably not required but I have seen refs here wear coloured socks at OA and youth. Still good for me to have the option if needed

 

[santa sangria]

The Patrick ref kits were in a pack with socks AND shorts with coloured trim - and “everyone” here had the yellow. So, I think we got used to coloured socks. We’ve had Nike for three seasons now and the coloured socks are used at the top and therefore common with aspiring refs in the middle.

I default to orange with the orange socks at the mo. But last night’s second match was grassroots seniors, no away strip, orange bibs, of course. Not a big deal for me to change to black shirt.

The glory though: the ref before me, it was his first ever game, he had an old yellow Patrick, no badge, chino shorts, ankle socks and an ear stud - brilliant show!