Stats
MLS referees 2026: cards per match
As of November 7, 2026 · 502 matches in the 2026 seasonHow we count
In the 2026 season, MLS referees show 4.2 cards per match on average (502 matches with cards, as of November 7, 2026).
The most come from C. Penso (5.3 in 17 matches), the fewest from Jair Marrufo (2.0 in 14 matches); the table lists 29 referees with at least 5 matches.
A penalty was given in 25% of the league's matches (0.30 per match on average, all referees together).
- Cards per match in the league
- 4.2
- over 4.5 cards in 41% of matches
- Referees in the table
- 29
- with at least 5 matches
- Matches with a penalty
- 25%
- the whole league
- Most cards
- 5.3
- C. Penso, 17 matches
Referees by cards per match
The referee's matches in this league this season: cards per match, the difference from the league average, yellow and red, and matches with over 4.5 cards. The name leads to the referee's profile.
| League average | 502 | 4.2 | – | 4.0 | 0.17 | 41% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C. Penso | 17 | 5.3, +1.1 against the average | +27%, +27% against the average | 5.1 | 0.18 | 59% |
| 2G. Gonzales | 8 | 5.3, +1.1 against the average | +26%, +26% against the average | 4.8 | 0.50 | 75% |
| 3A. Da Silva | 18 | 5.2, +1.1 against the average | +25%, +25% against the average | 5.0 | 0.22 | 61% |
| 4V. Rivas | 22 | 5.1, +0.9 against the average | +21%, +21% against the average | 4.7 | 0.36 | 59% |
| 5Malik Badawi | 16 | 5.0, +0.8 against the average | +20%, +20% against the average | 4.9 | 0.06 | 81% |
| 6Ramy Touchan | 12 | 4.9, +0.8 against the average | +18%, +18% against the average | 4.6 | 0.33 | 58% |
| 7Ricardo Montero | 12 | 4.8, +0.7 against the average | +16%, +16% against the average | 4.4 | 0.42 | 50% |
| 8Fotis Bazakos | 19 | 4.8, +0.6 against the average | +15%, +15% against the average | 4.7 | 0.11 | 58% |
| 9G. J. Gonzalez | 7 | 4.7, +0.5 against the average | +13%, +13% against the average | 4.3 | 0.43 | 57% |
| 10Jon Freemon | 21 | 4.6, +0.4 against the average | +10%, +10% against the average | 4.4 | 0.19 | 52% |
| 11Drew Fischer | 20 | 4.5, +0.3 against the average | +8%, +8% against the average | 4.3 | 0.20 | 50% |
| 12Ricardo Fierro | 13 | 4.4, +0.2 against the average | +5%, +5% against the average | 4.1 | 0.31 | 39% |
| 13J. Dickerson | 17 | 4.4, +0.2 against the average | +5%, +5% against the average | 4.1 | 0.29 | 47% |
| 14Elijio Arreguin | 15 | 4.2, 0.0 against the average | +1%, +1% against the average | 4.1 | 0.13 | 47% |
| 15Armando Villarreal | 17 | 4.2, 0.0 against the average | 0%, 0% against the average | 4.2 | 0.00 | 41% |
| 16Ismail Elfath | 17 | 4.2, 0.0 against the average | 0%, 0% against the average | 3.9 | 0.24 | 35% |
| 17Tori Penso | 18 | 4.1, 0.0 against the average | −1%, −1% against the average | 4.1 | 0.06 | 33% |
| 18R. Mendoza | 21 | 4.1, −0.1 against the average | −1%, −1% against the average | 4.0 | 0.14 | 38% |
| 19T. Ford | 15 | 4.0, −0.2 against the average | −4%, −4% against the average | 3.8 | 0.20 | 33% |
| 20R. Vazquez | 21 | 3.9, −0.3 against the average | −6%, −6% against the average | 3.7 | 0.24 | 29% |
| 21Filip Dujic | 20 | 3.9, −0.3 against the average | −6%, −6% against the average | 3.7 | 0.20 | 35% |
| 22Sergii Boiko | 16 | 3.7, −0.5 against the average | −11%, −11% against the average | 3.6 | 0.13 | 25% |
| 23Sergii Demianchuk | 16 | 3.6, −0.5 against the average | −13%, −13% against the average | 3.6 | 0.00 | 38% |
| 24L. Hernandez | 17 | 3.5, −0.7 against the average | −17%, −17% against the average | 3.4 | 0.12 | 24% |
| 25Nabil Bensalah | 6 | 3.3, −0.8 against the average | −20%, −20% against the average | 3.2 | 0.17 | 17% |
| 26P. Lauziere | 19 | 3.3, −0.8 against the average | −20%, −20% against the average | 3.3 | 0.00 | 16% |
| 27Allen Chapman | 23 | 3.3, −0.9 against the average | −21%, −21% against the average | 3.1 | 0.17 | 22% |
| 28M. De Oliveira | 14 | 3.1, −1.0 against the average | −25%, −25% against the average | 3.1 | 0.00 | 7% |
| 29Jair Marrufo | 14 | 2.0, −2.2 against the average | −52%, −52% against the average | 1.9 | 0.07 | 14% |
Today's matches in the Referees module
Today's list across all leagues, with both teams' recent matches.
How we count
We count both teams' yellow and red cards in the referee's matches in this league this season, from the match statistics, else from the live record. A referee is listed from 5 matches with cards. Penalties are given for the whole league only.
Frequently asked questions
- Which MLS referee shows the most cards?
- In the 2026 season: C. Penso (5.3), G. Gonzales (5.3), and A. Da Silva (5.2). Referees with at least 5 matches in the league count.
- How many cards do MLS referees show on average?
- 4.2 per match in the 2026 season: 4.0 yellow and 0.17 red; 41% of matches had over 4.5 cards.
- How often is a penalty given in MLS matches?
- In 25% of the 2026 season's matches, 0.30 per match on average, all referees together.
Today's matches in the Referees module
Today's list across all leagues, with both teams' recent matches.