Natalie Simon breaks barriers by becoming the first Black woman to referee an MLS match

African Americans have always had to fight for representation when it comes to mainstream sports. Black athletes have long been trying to push the envelope so that the next generation does not contend with the problems they had in sports. Magic Johnson recently made history by becoming the fourth Black owner of a team in the NFL and now coming in tow is Natalie Simon. Simon has broken through the glass ceiling by becoming the first Black woman to referee an MLS match, reports Pro Soccer Wire. Her first match took place on Saturday, between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake.

The Professional Referee Organization announced it on Wednesday as part of the Week 32 announcements. According to the announcement, Simon would fulfill the duty of a head official in the match. Before this, Simon has enjoyed a prolific career as a referee. In the recent season, she has served as a fourth official in many MLS games. Along with this, she has also had the honor of being the head official of championship matches by NWSL and USL.

Natalie Simon has been a trailblazer in her career as a referee. It is not the first time she is breaking barriers and achieving something so momentous. In 2022, Simon became one of the four American women to be bestowed the prestige of a FIFA international refereeing badge. It is the highest honor a referee can receive, and Simon is the first Black woman to achieve it, according to LA Times. FIFA also showed confidence in her by adding her to the international panel of match referees. She has built her career step by step, with last year being her breakthrough, as she took charge of her first U.S. women's national team match.

Simon's performance in the match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake garnered appreciation from all corners. The match was intense till the end, with San Jose Earthquakes garnering the win with a 2-1 score against Real Salt Lake. The tenacity and passion shown by Simon ensure that she will continue to be working in the illustrious position and be a role model for fellow Black women trying to make it in this field.

Simon, on her part, hopes that her achievement makes a significant impact. Being a Soccer player and aficionado from a young age, she had never seen someone look like her on the field. She said to the LA Times, "I was always the only Black person on every team I played on. I was always the token Black girl." While talking about her achievements and path to get here, Simon said, "I spent a lot of time wondering if I belonged. I spent most of my career questioning if I was good enough. I think a lot of Black people, especially Black women, can relate to that."

Christina Unkel, a FIFA official of over 7 years, reflected on the importance of this achievement by saying: "I can't believe it's 2022 and you're first Black referee? Maybe I was ignorant. 'There's no glass ceilings because that's the American dream.' But until you see someone that looks like you, do you truly believe it or think 'Hey, you know, there are people that look like me that do that?' Seeing is believing and once people see that, people will then realize it was missing in the first place. Then there will be little girls or others."

Simon is willing to do everything she can to encourage little Black girls. "I carry that with me on the field," she said. "I carry the weight of that. Knowing that the decisions I make can impact what happens in the future for other Black women that are coming up behind me."