November Referees of the Week: 2012-13 Development Academy Season

Referees Vince Apple-Chiarella, Nima Sghafi and Turan Ozdemir received weekly honors during the month of November in the 2012-13 Development Academy season.

Dec. 18, 2012

Throughout the U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, referees are recognized on a weekly basis for their outstanding performance officiating U-15/16 and U-17/18 matches.

Referees Vince Apple-Chiarella, Nima Sghafi and Turan Ozdemir received weekly honors in November as the 2012-13 Development Academy season completed its third month:

Week 11: Turan Ozdemir earned Referee of the Week after working a U-17/18 match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders FC. Ozdemir is a 26-year-old Grade 6 referee from Northern California. He attended the Spring Showcase earlier this year.

Week 10: Nima Saghafi was named Referee of the Week for a U-17/18 match between Solar Chelsea SC and Sporting Kansas City. The game marked the Academy debut for Saghafi, a Grade 6 referee from Oklahoma. The 22-year-old official attended the 2012 Development Academy Winter Showcase.

Week 9: Vince Apple-Chiarella earned Referee of the Week honors for his performance during a U-17/18 match between San Juan Soccer Club and the San Jose Earthquakes. His performance at a handful of 2012 Referee Identification Events reinforced his selection as Referee of the Week. Apple-Chiarella, a Grade 6 referee, works in the Cal-North region and entering the game had officiated nearly 20 Development Academy matches. He attended the 2012 Development Academy Spring Showcase and served as a linesman in the USYSA U-19 Boys’ National Cup final between Crew Jrs. and GSA93 in Rock Hill, S.C., last summer.

2012-13 Development Academy Referees of the Week