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Long-time MLS referee Ted Unkel has retired.
Ted Unkel officiated in MLS for a dozen years. (Photo from Ted Unkel’s X page)
Long-time MLS referee Ted Unkel has retired.
Unkel said that he was retiring after 13 years, on X, formerly Twitter, on Dec. 30.
“There’s nothing like walking out in a packed stadium, standing for an anthem, the adrenaline of being  on pace with a counterattack or getting in perfect position to nail the call, and the satisfaction of the team orchestrating a successful match,” Unkel wrote on X.
“There’s also nothing like walking myy daughter to and from the bus stop, helping her through homework and projects and life, taking in an anthem before supporting my wife’s team and being there for her through all her endeavors, spending time with the closest of family and friends.
“After 13 seasons in the MLS, I’m trading the former for the latter.”
Unkel had worked the MLS Cup Playoffs, the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, and the 2014 North American Soccer League championship game, among other matches. He also was member of a FIFA panel from 2016-21. Unkel also worked as a fourth official and as a Video Assistant Referee.
According to the Professional Referee Organization website, Unkel had worked as the main referee 174 times in MLS since he made his debut in 2013, through the 2023 campaign. There were no updated numbers on the 2024 season available. Unkel made his MLS debut in 2013 and officiated his first women’s pro game in Women’s Professional Soccer in 2009.
He is married to Christina Unkel, a retired soccer referee. They were married in 2009.
Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 28 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.

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