Steve Olson – He May Be The Most Knowledgeable Soccer Guy in Minnesota
Steve Olson seen on far left at US Cup 1993 in a match between Brazil and Germany
Today’s guest is Steve Olson, who is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Sports Center. Olson was certified as a referee in 1973 and certified as a National referee in 1983. He became a FIFA assistant referee in 1992 and retired from professional refereeing in 1997 to start a family. He officiated for 14 years in the NPSL and MISL Indoor pro leagues and he also refereed in MLS working the first 2 MLS Cup finals. During that same time he reffed 22 Olympic and World Cup qualifiers. Olson has also served as the referee representative on the National Board of Directors for the United States Soccer Federation. He’s a National referee Instructor, a National referee Assessor as well as a Referee inspector. This past January, Olson was certified as one of only 20 FIFA FUTURA Instructors in the U.S. Steve has also served as the Executive Director of Minnesota Youth Soccer Association.
Steve Olson at the FIFA FUTURA course in January 2009
Olson visits with Inside Minnesota Soccer to talk about his career as well as his current job duties as a referee assessor and FIFA FUTURA instructor. Did you know referees read blogs and articles just like you and me to get familiar with teams and players before a match? It’s their job! Olson shares with us what referees must do before games.
Olson also shares how he assesses referees and the high tech software equipment they use to watch a video, stop it, then look the scene over from any angle.
Please listen to this interesting interview with our guest, Steve Olson, who just may be the most knowledgeable soccer guy in the State of Minnesota.
The link that Olson refers to in his interview (video of correct and incorrect refereeing decisions) can be found here.
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