Currently, the United States has 26 referees and assistant referees who are certified to referee at the FIFA level. Of those 26, there are four women referees and six women assistant referees. Worldwide, about 27% of FIFA referees and assistant referees are women, so the group is growing.
Penso earned her FIFA badge this year and refereed her first women’s international match, Canada against Argentina, at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup tournament. Alongside her was assistant referee Brooke Mayo, who was mentored by Penso’s husband, Chris, in 2013.
“It's full circle now that I get to work with Tori,” Mayo said. “All of us also mentor now, and we go back to these events and try to mentor and inspire both male and female officials to reach their highest levels.”
Mayo and Penso will reunite as part of the groundbreaking group of American women refereeing at the Men’s Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. Mayo, as an assistant referee, and Penso, as the fourth official, will team up to officiate Cayman Islands against Canada on March 28.
“We both have an understanding of all the work that it took to be able to get that opportunity,” Mayo said. “I think there'll be a little bit more appreciation in that moment, just because we can look at each other and say we were able to get here.”
Penso will also be working the qualifying game between Aruba and Suriname as a fourth official on March 27 at IMG Soccer Stadium alongside assistant referee Jennifer Garner. Garner worked with Penso at the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup in what was the first team sport competition to return in the United States after the pandemic paused play.
For Garner, the Men’s Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match will be her biggest assignment yet.
JUGGLING TWO JOBS AT ONCE
Garner was eating a Cuban sandwich at a restaurant with her husband when she got a text from Concacaf Referee Manager Lance VanHaitsma. A referee and high school History teacher on spring break, Garner had to step outside to get cell service.
On the phone, VanHaitsma informed Garner she would be a part of the officiating crew for Concacaf World Cup Qualifying. She immediately shared the news and celebrated with her husband, Adam, who also has experience as a FIFA referee.
“Of course, he was just as excited as I was,” Garner said. “It was amazing that he was there when I actually found out.”
