While each official is expected to keep the assignments he or she accepts, there are certain occasions where a referee should be released from a lower level assignment to officiate in a higher level competition.

To this end, the following games are listed by priority for assignment:

1. International and senior National Team games assigned by U.S. Soccer
2. Games assigned by the Professional Referee Organization (PRO)
3. Youth National Team games assigned by U.S. Soccer
4. Competitions (regional and national) assigned directly by U.S. Soccer's affiliated members (includes but is not limited to: USASA, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer)
5. League games assigned by U.S. Soccer
6. Competitions (state level) assigned directly by U.S. Soccer's affiliated members (includes but is not limited to: State Adult Associations, State Youth Associations)

Please note that this policy does not apply:

• Within 72 hours of the scheduled game time unless an emergency situation exists
• When a substantial financial commitment has been made for the assignment (e.g., non-refundable airline tickets)

Responsibility of officials:

• Keep the lines of communication open about upcoming international and national and International appointments as far in advance as possible
• Communicate the receipt of a higher priority appointment to their assignor as soon as possible
• Report an assignor that refuses to release the official from a higher priority assignment to their State Referee Administrator and the U.S. Soccer

Responsibility of assignors:

• Identify the highly experienced officials on your assignment roster who are likely to be assigned to a higher priority assignment and always be prepared to fill these slots on an emergency basis
• Cooperate with officials and other assignors on those rare occasions when the game priority policy is invoked
• Report any concerns regarding the to the State Referee Administrator

POSTED 3/13/17