One of the most respected referees in MLS, Paul Tamberino was in the middle for MLS Cup 2000. The Baltimore, Md., resident is the focus of this edition of Socceramerica.comÆs referee series, ôView from the Middle.ö INTERVIEW BY BRYAN ALVAREZ SOCCER AMERICA: What is the toughest call in soccer? PAUL TAMBERINO: Probably the penalty kick. They are so infrequent but when it happens, it’s almost a guaranteed goal. There aren’t many goals in soccer. In a one-goal game, that could make all the difference. SA: What could be done to make the officials’ jobs easier? PT: Well, MLS is different. They’ve clamped down on dissent and dangerous tackles. That makes it easier. But, at the youth level, you have crazy spectators and parents. An understanding of the game from general public would help. SA: Is there such a thing as a “make-up” call? PT: No. It may look like it to some. I don’t do make-up calls. SA: What rule change would you like to see? PT: On an injury, the team that was in possession keeps the ball. In college, they have that rule. SA: What’s the worst thing about being a referee? PT: The abuse. You just have to shrug it off. If it’s not the abuse, there’s a lot of pressure at the high level. You don’t take it personally. Ninety percent of MLS players are great guys. They just get emotional on the field. SA: What makes refereeing worthwhile for you? PT: I love the game. I’ve been doing this for 26 years. I played semi-pro before that. I just wanted to do something in the sport after I stopped playing. Plus, I get paid to travel. I’ve been all over the United States and many other countries. SA: What’s been your most frightening moment? PT: I was a linesman in San Pedro Sula for Honduras-Jamaica, a qualifying game for the 1998 World Cup. Honduras needed a tie or a win to advance to the next round. It was an intense game. The barrier fence was 10 yards behind me. I had a chance to peek over my shoulder. The spectators were rocking the fence and it was swaying over my head. SA: Your most embarrassing moment? PT: I don’t know. There have been so many little things but nothing that sticks out. SA: During your playing days, were you ever red-carded? PT: That’s how I started refereeing. I was playing semipro in Baltimore. It was an Open Cup game where I felt the ref was not having a good game. I said, using no profanity, “On my worst day, I could ref better than him.” He turned me in. That was in June. I took the refereeing class in August and that’s how I got my start. SA: How important is playing experience to being a good ref? PT: It’s very important. You have to have an understanding of what’s happening on the field. You have to understand the players. Reading their body language tells you so much. That makes for a better ref and better relations with players.