Female officials make MLS history, marking first time three women referee in USA’s top-flight
Female umpires make MLS history, marking the first time three female umpires were on the field in the U.S. Major League during Vancouver Whitecaps’ 0-0 draw with struggling Colorado Rapids
- Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo and Felisha Mariscal were three of the four umpires
- The Saturday game between the two inconsistent West teams was in Vancouver
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Major League Soccer had a historic moment in Canada on Saturday night with a female trio playing Vancouver vs. Colorado led.
Tori Penso refereed the game, alongside assistant referee Brooke Mayo and fourth official Felisha Mariscal – the first time a trio of female umpires graced the men’s field.
Penso awarded a penalty after Javain Brown of the Whitecaps fouled Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis in the 78th minute.
Diego Rubio’s resulting penalty kick was saved by Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
Takaoka’s stop extended his scoreless streak to 410 minutes, currently the longest of its kind in the league.
Tori Penso (CR), Brooke Mayo (L) and Felisha Mariscal (CL) were three of the four MLS referees
Referee Tori Penso made history in 2010, becoming the first female referee in two decades
The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate, much to the dismay of Rapids forward Javain Brown
Colorado put the ball into the net from a free kick in the 57th minute, but Lalas Abubakar of the Rapids was ruled to interfere with Takaoka as he attempted to catch the cross.
The game ended in a stalemate, leaving Vancouver in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
Penso made history in 2010, becoming the first woman to officiate an MLS match in two decades, after Sandy Hunt.
Meanwhile, Colorado continues to languish near the West’s base in 12th place, with nine points from 10 games – six from the bottom.
Vancouver is Minnesota’s next host at BC Place Saturday. The Rapids travel to Tinseltown for a game in the Galaxy on the same day.