About Us
Who We Are
The Mustang Soccer Referee Program is one of the premier referee development programs in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Rooted in the rich tradition of the Mustang Soccer League — a community-based youth soccer organization founded in 1972 in Danville, California — our program is dedicated to training, developing, and supporting match officials who promote safe, fair, and competitive play for athletes of all ages and levels.
Mustang Soccer League serves the Tri-Valley area, including the communities of Danville, Diablo, Alamo, Blackhawk, and portions of Walnut Creek, and has grown into one of the most respected youth soccer clubs in Northern California — boasting 200+ college placements, 70+ state, regional, and national titles, and 20+ professional players developed over the past decade. Behind every one of those achievements, there were referees ensuring the game was played the right way. That's where we come in
Our Story
The Mustang Soccer Referee Program has been developing officials for decades. Our current program leader, Justin Yarkin, came up through this very program in the late 1990s and early 2000s — a formative and influential period that instilled a lifelong passion for the game and the craft of officiating. That experience is the reason he is still refereeing over 30 years later.
Since taking over as Assignor in 2019, Justin has built the Mustang Soccer Referee Program into one of the strongest in the country. What started as a commitment to putting well-trained officials on every match has grown into a thriving community of nearly 500 active referees — with close to 60% under the age of 18 — making it one of the largest and most youth-driven referee programs in the nation.
Our officials don't just work Mustang games. Many of our referees go on to officiate at the high school, college, semi-professional, and even professional levels. We take immense pride in knowing that the foundation they build here prepares them for the highest stages of the sport.
Zero Tolerance for Abuse
In 2022, the Mustang Soccer Referee Program implemented one of the strictest zero-tolerance policies in the country, designed to create a safer, more respectful environment for everyone — especially referees.
Our policy is structured around two levels of accountability:
- Level 1 Abuse — Reactive comments directed at referees (e.g., "That's a foul!" or "Offside!") result in a warning, followed by ejection of the offending party or all of that team's spectators if comments persist. [mustangsoc...tosport.ai]
- Level 2 Abuse — Comments or actions implying referee bias, using profanity, referencing race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, or any behavior that makes officials feel unsafe results in immediate ejection. [mustangsoc...tosport.ai]
If spectators interfere with a match, the referee stops play and gives the coach one minute to identify the offending individual. If the spectator is not identified or does not leave, the match is suspended until all spectators of that team vacate the field area. Repeat or severe offenses may result in further sanctions from the Mustang Soccer Board, including suspensions for one or more seasons. [mustangsoc...tosport.ai]
This policy reflects our belief that the game thrives when officials are respected and supported.
Our Motto
Learn/practice something every game.
This isn't just words — it's a way of life for every Mustang referee. Whether you're a 13-year-old working your first recreational match or a veteran covering a competitive showcase, the expectation is the same: get better every single time you step on the field.
Our Pillars
Every Mustang referee strives to embody three core pillars in every match:
- ⚽ Professionalism
- Show up prepared, look the part, and carry yourself with integrity on and off the field.
- ⚽ Consistency
- Apply the Laws of the Game evenly and predictably so players, coaches, and spectators can trust your decisions.
- ⚽Expected Decision
- Make the call that everyone in the stadium already knows is correct — see what everyone sees and have the courage to act on it.