Benj: Ehh, not quite.
My brother’s body might not cooperate most days, but his eyes and brain are sharp. What did he see that I didn’t? His favorite hobby is to tell me about my missed calls.
Me: What’d I miss?
I start to worry. It’s hard enough officiating a game. It’s doubly so as a woman. I know my performance will be under heavy scrutiny. It’s another one of those double standards. Sure, male refs will get put on notice for bad calls, but the tolerance of judgment narrows considerably when one has a vagina and breasts.
Our professional league, the United States Soccer League Referee Association, has an entire staff that watches our games and judges our performances. We’re scored on our calls, receiving points for correct calls and losing points for incorrect calls and missed calls. They have the benefit of watching recordings and replays, while we have to make snap decisions on the spot with only one point of view. The USSL and the USSLRA are looking to keep up with the British Football League by introducing video replay next season. Until then, we have to try to improve our skills based on this points system.
Me: How many points?
Benj: No points. The whole thing with Nix.
Pfft.
Me: That’s not a thing. That’s him in practically every game. He’s a blowhard. I don’t know why the Buzzards keep his contract.
Benj: Because he’s their best scorer. But that’s not what I’m talking about.
Me: ???
Benj: I hope I’m wrong, but you know I never am
Brat, he’s right about barely being wrong.
I shrug as if he were here to see me. The thing about Nix is a non-issue. If it didn’t cost me points, then I don’t care. The more points I have, the more likely I am to get primary referee jobs and to be able to move up to a Level 2.
Me: It is what it is. I called what I saw. If he doesn’t want to be ejected from games, he should play clean. That’s on him, not on me.
I might sound confident in my texts, but I’m sure Benj can see through it. I spend the entire flight home, as well as the next day and a half, obsessively watching the game tape just to review my calls. If I’m not working, I’m looking at every minute of play. I don’t even turn the TV on.
Finally satisfied, I text my brother again.
Me: My game was clean. I can’t find any point deductions.
Benj: Have you been reviewing it this entire time?
My brother knows me well. He’s about the only person who sees me this clearly. Ironic, considering I haven’t seen him in person in almost a year. The pang of missing him hits me hard in the chest.
Me: I had to do some actual work and travel back home. But yes, for the most part.
My mind whirring, I open my work calendar and see many more white spots than normal for this time of the year. With the Global Games in Paris right now, there’s a month-long hiatus in seasonal play for the MUSSL.
The WUSSL still has games, but considering I’ve been working both leagues for the past few seasons, it’s enough to give me some spare time I’m not used to having.
Of course, it means the men will play into December this year, instead of wrapping up in November like normal. Looks like no winter holidays in the Keys like in the past.
Maybe I should look at going to visit my brother in Colorado, though December is always a risky time to try to travel there.
Hell, I should visit him now.
I have eleven days before my next game in Birmingham. That’s plenty of time.
I’m looking up flights when Mike calls. Why can’t he just text like everyone else? Or better yet, why can’t he just leave me alone?
“What are you up to?”
“Trying to book a flight to Colorado Springs.”
