An MLS Referee since 2018, Gonzales officiated 24 matches in 2024, including the MLS Cup Final between the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, as well as the MLS All-Star Game in which the league selection took on the top players from Liga MX. Gonzales has served as the Referee in over 100 MLS matches and is now eligible for international assignments after being appointed to the FIFA Panel for 2025.
"I am extremely honored to receive the U.S. Soccer Male Referee of the Year award,” Gonzales said. “This recognition reflects the years of dedication, preparation and passion for the game we all share as referees. I am grateful for my family, mentors and fellow referees that have and continue to share this journey with me. Thank you for this incredible honor — it's a privilege to serve the beautiful game."
The awards were determined via weighted vote from PRO Referees, National Referee Coaches, U.S. Soccer Board of Directors and U.S. Soccer Referee Committee members (45 percent); National Professional and International Referees (25 percent); State Referee Committee members (15 percent); and U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Team players that earned a cap in 2024 (15 percent).
For Female Referee of the Year, Nesbitt emerged from a list of nominees that included fellow FIFA Assistant Referee Brooke Mayo, as well as FIFA Referees Alyssa Nichols, Tori Penso and Natalie Simon, winning 26 percent of the weighted vote. For the Male Referee of the Year Award, Gonzales won 29 percent of the weighted vote among a list of nominees that included FIFA Assistant Referees Kyle Atkins and Corey Parker, PRO Referee Ismir Pekmic and FIFA Referee Armando Villarreal.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. As U.S. Soccer looks toward the future amid an unprecedented moment of opportunity, it has aligned its efforts around five strategic pillars: Grow the game by increasing youth and adult participation and accessibility to the sport; Foster best playing environments through quality of referees and coaches, and commitment to participant safety; Develop winning teams through solidified pathways and success of professional leagues; Grow the soccer economy to fuel reinvestment by increasing membership, fandom and commercial success; and Create a world-class organization through revitalized structure and culture, best-in-class talent, progress in DEIB, and more. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.
