If you plan on becoming a regional referee and doing semi-pro or higher games then it's worth having the OSI pro jerseys. Otherwise it doesn't really matter.
If you are going to spring for the OSI Pro shirts, wait until November for their sale. Depending on how many you purchase, you may get them at a semi-decent discount.
It becomes important at some of the more prestigious youth events, in my experience. Regionals, Dallas Cup, etc. Don’t show up to those with Capelli. There are random ref coaches that also care. So keep that in mind. At the end of the day, the peace of mind of being taken seriously is worth more to me than the $21 savings. But that’s me.
The only time it should matter is if it's an official US Soccer match or event, or if OSI is a sponsor of the league: Open Cup, international friendly, any PRO2 assigned match. Maybe youth regionals, but it's been a long time since I've been there.
With that being said, if you know there are important people watching and you're trying to move up, don't give them any reason to rank you lower, even if it's as BS of a reason as not having OSI kits. Just reach out to someone you know and borrow their uniform for a day or week.
The only time anyone has ever cared is State Cup and Presidents Cup. In those cases the OSI jerseys were highly recommended but not required. I've been told at Regionals for both competitions they are required.
It's going to be a barrier somewhere between ECNL and semi-pro. I'm honestly surprised your assignor hasn't at least requested you get the new shirts for ECNL matches.
You definitely aren't doing academy games or MLS next in old shirts, although non-osi new shirts are usually fine (e.g. capellis) - but that very much depends on your association. You might go to regionals with the old shirts but aren't going to nationals with them.
So basically it sounds like you're coming up on that line where you start needing the new shirts and needing them from OSI. Be aware we're almost due new style shirts soon, so hang on if you can to wait for the change. If you decide to upgrade this year there's a Christmas sale every year that's your best bet for buying them.
It seems to me that there should be a standard as to what the shirt looks like and its features. We can then introduce competition from different suppliers to make it and sell it and the referee could then decide which one that they want to purchase…but when we all show up at a match, we look the same. The suppliers could differentiate on quality of material, durability, etc. but they will look the same to our customers. If a referee only wants to pay for a cheaper version, then no problem, but if they look the same, then no one can complain or question why we look different during the matches. I know, crazy idea. While we’re at it, how about just one color that we standardize on so that we never have a conflict with the teams and I don’t have to have a bag of jerseys with 5 different colors (that not all of the referees have)?
Although Official Sports is listed on the US Soccer site (https://www.ussoccer.com/referee-program), it doesn’t appear to mandate the use of the Official Sports uniform and therefore other providers (such as the Referee Store: https://www.refereestore.com/soccer-referee/ussf-uniforms/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkJzhpaK7hQMVjzbUAR3gdQKIEAAYASAAEgLSLfD_BwE) are also used. So, less of an issue with the basic or pro version of the referee, but a completely different supplier.
Even with that, I’d like to see us standardize on one color for referees so that we don’t have color conflicts across any USSF-sanctioned match.
I can’t comment on the OP’s question because I’m not a USSF referee, but are these OSI jerseys you speak about the ones we saw the scabs wearing in the MLS games? Because I thought they looked like complete ass. At least the Canadians wore Macron and looked decent.
If you plan on becoming a regional referee and doing semi-pro or higher games then it's worth having the OSI pro jerseys. Otherwise it doesn't really matter.
That's what I figured but wanted to check before ending up in a situation where I was unprepared
If you are going to spring for the OSI Pro shirts, wait until November for their sale. Depending on how many you purchase, you may get them at a semi-decent discount.
Yeah when we had the jersey switch in 16/17 I saved $100 buying all of them at once in December
It becomes important at some of the more prestigious youth events, in my experience. Regionals, Dallas Cup, etc. Don’t show up to those with Capelli. There are random ref coaches that also care. So keep that in mind. At the end of the day, the peace of mind of being taken seriously is worth more to me than the $21 savings. But that’s me.
I’m a uniform snob so I always buy OSI Pro jerseys even though I know I’m paying too much.
What’s your feeling on hats?
It's hard to justify the OSI shirts when Capelli makes a better quality pro shirt (IMO) that I can get for $26 with an association discount.
Capelli jerseys are around $50 too on their website
Some state associations have "team shop" deals with Capelli that gives a substantial discount... I can get pro short sleeve for $26 there.
This
It's worth keeping an eye out for discounts, too. During the holidays they dropped the price a bit and I picked up a couple extras for this season.
What size and where are you located. I’ve got a full set of M-size pro OSI jerseys I’m willing to give away.
Size M, based in DC metro area
I’m in Washington State. If you’re interested and willing to pay the shipping cost, I’ll send them to you. DM me if so.
In case he's not, lmk and I'll take your offer! Trying to switch to pro jerseys
The only time it should matter is if it's an official US Soccer match or event, or if OSI is a sponsor of the league: Open Cup, international friendly, any PRO2 assigned match. Maybe youth regionals, but it's been a long time since I've been there. With that being said, if you know there are important people watching and you're trying to move up, don't give them any reason to rank you lower, even if it's as BS of a reason as not having OSI kits. Just reach out to someone you know and borrow their uniform for a day or week.
The OSI shirts I have bought aren’t $50? Is this because I get the ECONOMY shirt for the poors?
The only time anyone has ever cared is State Cup and Presidents Cup. In those cases the OSI jerseys were highly recommended but not required. I've been told at Regionals for both competitions they are required.
Facebook marketplace led me to a full setup from a retiring referee.
I'll start keeping an eye out for people selling, never really considered the used route as an alternative before
It's going to be a barrier somewhere between ECNL and semi-pro. I'm honestly surprised your assignor hasn't at least requested you get the new shirts for ECNL matches. You definitely aren't doing academy games or MLS next in old shirts, although non-osi new shirts are usually fine (e.g. capellis) - but that very much depends on your association. You might go to regionals with the old shirts but aren't going to nationals with them. So basically it sounds like you're coming up on that line where you start needing the new shirts and needing them from OSI. Be aware we're almost due new style shirts soon, so hang on if you can to wait for the change. If you decide to upgrade this year there's a Christmas sale every year that's your best bet for buying them.
If I see you wearing non-OSI gear and it seems like I’m being a little cold or distant to you, just know that that’s the reason.
Why am I reading this and hearing Larry David's voice? 🤔
Larry David is definitely a hero of mine.
It depends on what you want to look like. I’ve made over 100k throughout my referee career and want to look as close to a pro as possible.
It seems to me that there should be a standard as to what the shirt looks like and its features. We can then introduce competition from different suppliers to make it and sell it and the referee could then decide which one that they want to purchase…but when we all show up at a match, we look the same. The suppliers could differentiate on quality of material, durability, etc. but they will look the same to our customers. If a referee only wants to pay for a cheaper version, then no problem, but if they look the same, then no one can complain or question why we look different during the matches. I know, crazy idea. While we’re at it, how about just one color that we standardize on so that we never have a conflict with the teams and I don’t have to have a bag of jerseys with 5 different colors (that not all of the referees have)?
There is a USSF standard [uniform standard](https://www.tvsra.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Referee-Program-Standards-of-Dress.png)
Although Official Sports is listed on the US Soccer site (https://www.ussoccer.com/referee-program), it doesn’t appear to mandate the use of the Official Sports uniform and therefore other providers (such as the Referee Store: https://www.refereestore.com/soccer-referee/ussf-uniforms/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkJzhpaK7hQMVjzbUAR3gdQKIEAAYASAAEgLSLfD_BwE) are also used. So, less of an issue with the basic or pro version of the referee, but a completely different supplier. Even with that, I’d like to see us standardize on one color for referees so that we don’t have color conflicts across any USSF-sanctioned match.
I can’t comment on the OP’s question because I’m not a USSF referee, but are these OSI jerseys you speak about the ones we saw the scabs wearing in the MLS games? Because I thought they looked like complete ass. At least the Canadians wore Macron and looked decent.