Mark Geiger looks at the calendar and feels aged out of his job. The first American to referee in the knockout stage of the World Cup is retiring after 15 seasons in Major League Soccer.
"At 48 when the next World Cup would happen, I didn't think I would be at the same point that I am right now," he said. "The body starts breaking down. And I wouldn't want to go out after a bad tournament."
The Professional Referee Organization, which oversees on-field officials in the United States and Canada, said Wednesday the 44-year-old will become its director of senior match officials. He will lead coaching education for MLS officials and report to former Premier League referee Howard Webb, PRO's general manager.
Geiger has been bothered by his left Achilles tendon. He thinks it is more from wearing soccer cleats than from working in a league that had five stadiums with artificial turf last season.
A former math teacher from Beachwood, New Jersey, Geiger became the second American to referee at two World Cups, after David Socha in 1982 and 1986. Geiger refereed three matches at each of the last two World Cups, including round of 16 matchups between France and Nigeria in 2014, and between England and Colombia last year. He also refereed the 2014 MLS Cup final, three CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 2016 Copa America and the 2012 Olympics and Club World Cup.
He was joined by Jair Marrufo at last year's World Cup, making the U.S. the only nation with two referees at the tournament. But no American has refereed a World Cup match from the quarterfinals on.
"You're always competing with the very best referees from around the world," he said. "The ones from Europe certainly come from higher profile leagues. MLS has made great strides."
Geiger made his MLS debut on May 29, 2004, when Columbus beat visiting San Jose and worked 186 regular-season matches. His on-field finale was Portland's win over San Jose on Nov. 29 in the second leg of the Western Conference final, and he then was an assistant video assistant referee when Real Madrid beat Al-Ain in the Club World Cup final on Dec. 22.
He marvels at how the sport evolved during his time as a referee.
"The game is always going to be fast and quick, but it's getting it's getting faster," he said.
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TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
