George Vergara (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2019

George Vergara played soccer in a number of Virginia youth teams and then at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 1978 to 1980 before becoming a referee.  In 1980 he became a referee and has been actively refereeing for almost 40 years. He went from a Grade 8 in 1980 to a Grade 4 in 1996 to ultimately becoming a Grade 2 FIFA Assistant Referee in 1999.  

George Vergara is the only US Soccer referee from Virginia to become a member of the US Soccer FIFA panel of referees and assistant referees. He has officiated Youth, Regional and National, Region I Adult Finals, Major League Soccer, MLS All Star and MLS Cup Finals. He also officiated in COPA CARIBE, Central American Club Championships, World Cup Qualifiers and numerous International matches in many countries. Professional Club Matches include Manchester United, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Barcelona, Roma, Liverpool, Fiorentina, Juventus, Palientankos, Ajax, Feyenoord, and others. George has also served as a National Referee Instructor (2005), National Referee Assessor (2005-2015) and National Referee Coach (2015 to present). In these capacities, George has mentored and developed hundreds of referees sharing his passion and expertise in officiating the beautiful game of soccer. George also holds a USSF “A” Coaching license and lead the Richmond Strikers to the U11 State Cup Championship in 1983 and FC Richmond U12 State Cup Championship in 2014 to 2016. George has served as the State Referee Administrator for the Metro DC Virginia State Referee Program (MDCVASRP) which is responsible for the certification and training of all US Soccer Referees in DC and VA. MDCVASRP has produced several regional and national young referees of the year both male and female.  

George is also a founding member of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) that established a union for collective bargaining with MLS and US Soccer to enhance the training, well-being, and treatment of professional referees. He served as President of the PSRA from 2008-2018.