2025 USYS Far West Regionals

2025 USYS Far West Regionals

Noah Unabia -

……

Kevin Clarence Au -

A Breakthrough Year in My Refereeing Journey

Throughout my years on the mainland, this past year has truly been the most rewarding — and the most realistic shot I’ve had at reaching the next milestone in my officiating career. What made the difference? The continued mentorship and support I’ve carried with me from the islands, and the growth I’ve experienced through high-level events and opportunities.

Leveling Up: From the Islands to the National Stage

Thanks to the foundation laid back home and the guidance I've received at the next level, I’ve had the privilege to officiate at events like:

  • USYS Far West Regionals

  • MLS Next Cup

  • ECNL Boys Playoffs

  • NPL Finals

  • USYS National Championships

Each of these events challenged me — not only to grow as a referee, but also as a person.

Balance, Growth, and Sacrifice

Juggling relationships with my family, my girlfriend, and friends has forced me to seriously evaluate how I spend my time. Balancing those relationships while pushing forward in my career has been eye-opening. I’ve learned the importance of prioritization, resilience, and self-discipline.

Learning the Game at a Higher Level

These tournaments elevated my understanding of the game — especially in the defensive third, where tactical awareness is critical. One key takeaway: the art of scanning and anticipating the third attacker’s movement. It’s a refined skill that can help referees stay ahead of the play and avoid being caught off guard.

Advice to Aspiring Referees

To the younger referees dreaming of advancing like I did:
Be ready to sacrifice.

Not everything will go your way. You won’t get every final. You won’t always be assigned the games you want. But every single match has a purpose — a lesson to help you grow, both as a person and as a referee. Trust the journey.

To My Fellow Officials: Stay Ready

To my colleagues: if you want to grow and earn better assignments, understand that fitness is key. Players aren’t slowing down. If anything, they’re training harder. As we get older, we can’t rely on just refereeing to stay in shape — we must get in shape to referee.

Charles Martin -

A Memorable Experience at Regionals

I had a great time at the Regional Tournament. It was a fantastic experience, and I would encourage any referee looking to challenge themselves and grow to attend events like this one.

Conversations That Inspire

There were many memorable moments, but what stuck with me the most was the time I spent talking with mentors. One mentor in particular — whose name I, unfortunately, can’t spell — really stood out.

I’ve always loved reffing, but I also love all aspects of the game. We had a fascinating conversation about the differences in how European, South American, and American clubs approach soccer development. Learning about his personal experiences in youth player development around the world was eye-opening and incredibly valuable.

From Quantity to Quality

As a referee, I'm used to weekends packed with games — sometimes as many as 10. But this tournament flipped that. The challenge here wasn’t quantity, it was quality of play.

The level of competition was high, and that demanded more of me. It pushed me to recognize new areas of my game that need refining. Rising to meet that standard helped me grow — not just in confidence, but in awareness of where I can improve.

Little Things Matter

I’m not big on giving advice, but if there’s one thing I’d pass on, it’s this:
Believe in yourself, and keep going.

One piece of advice I received that stuck with me is to focus on the little things. Once you handle the big-picture issues, it’s those smaller details that elevate your game.

I’m someone who loves learning something new every day, and this tournament reminded me just how many “little things” go into turning a good referee into a great one.