The Great 8

Presidents Day will always be a very special day in the refereeing career of Arizona's Ryan Cuddy.

L.A. Galaxy and Vancouver were to have played a pre-season scrimmage match in Casa Grande on the Sunday before President's Day. The Sunday match was cancelled and rescheduled to be played at ASU on President's Day. The MLS referee who had flown in for the Sunday match could not stay over for the rescheduled match on Monday. The assigned MLS assistant referee declined to pick up the whistle for Monday's match, leaving the match refereeless. Ryan received a call shortly before kick-off telling him the get him fanny over to ASU forthwith. Ryan arrived 25 mins. later to find himself in the middle of an MLS match populated with legendary players and coaches.

Ryan, no shrinking violet, got through the 90 mins. with one caution and no major incidents. He was on cloud 9 after the match and was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning, as any of us would be.

Ryan is probably the 1st grade 8 ever to officiate an MLS match. For his accomplishment he shall go down in the annals of Arizona soccer lore as 'THE GREAT 8'!

Well done Ryan.