When Sporting Kansas City takes the field Thursday night against Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Knockout Round, a familiar face will patrol the middle of the pitch. PRO released the referee assignments for the first round of the playoffs and assigned 34-year-old Ismail Elfath to Sporting KC’s match.
Elfath has been the center referee for Sporting KC matches eight times in his career including the club’s recent 0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake on October 16. Elfath was in charge of Sporting KC’s 1-0 win over Seattle at Children’s Mercy Park in June 2015.
In 20 matches this year, Elfath has issued 68 yellow cards and three red cards. He has handed out 20 red cards in MLS matches since he officiated his first match in the beginning of 2012.
The assistant referees for Thursday’s match will be Peter Manikowski and Corey Parker. Ricardo Salazar will be the fourth official. This will be the third time in Salazar’s career that he will be the fourth official for a Sporting KC fixture.
Thursday’s match will kick off at 9 p.m. CT on FS1 and UniMas. Supporters in Kansas City can also hear the match on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340.
