The general manager of PRO defended the surge in red cards given over the opening weeks of the MLS campaign.
Professional Referee Organization general manager Peter Walton has defended the surge in red cards to kick off the 2016 MLS season, arguing that officials have simply improved at enforcing the law as intended.
There have been 16 red cards given through 42 matches, up from an average of eight at the same point over the previous four MLS campaigns. Several of the ejections have been straight reds for studs-up challenges, with LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, Toronto FC midfielder Will Johnson and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston among the referees' more vocal critics.