Throughout the first matchweek of the MLS season, the league was forced to use replacement referees instead of selecting from the 240+ members of the Professional Soccer Referees Organization (PSRA). The Professional Referees Organization (PRO) have locked out the PSRA as the two sides clash over an ongoing debate surrounding a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
MLS is standing firm with PRO during negotiations, but the three parties are reportedly set to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, February 28. However, if no agreement is immediately struck, the league could go forth with a second matchweek featuring officials from the Division-1 College level, MLS NEXT Pro and various levels of the USL.