Kermit gets MLS Cup final gig

Kermit Quisenberry (far right) preparing with fellow referees before a big game

Louisville's Kermit Quisenberry has been chosen to officiate at this Sunday's MLS Cup final which sees Columbus Crew take on surprise packet New York Red Bulls (3.30 p.m.).

Quisenberry was one of six US referees officiating at the Beijing Olympic Games in August. His assignments included assistant referee for the Cameroon/Korea group game and the memorable Holland/Argentina quarter-final.

Two weeks ago, he was named MLS Assistant Referee of the Year, and has now been chosen as AR for the biggest occasion in United States soccer, which takes place this year at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

In 1997, Quisenberry moved to Florida to take a job as an assistant athletic trainer at Jacksonville University and became a national referee the following year. Attending amateur regional and youth games there helped him advance onto the USSF’s panel for FIFA, soccer’s world governing body.