Al Kleinaitis

Eddie Pearson Award - 2003

One of America's premier soccer referees, achieving unparalleled advancement as an official, moving from the beginning status to a FIFA level official in only eleven years. His assignments have taken him from the NASL to Olympic and Pan American matches, and men's and women's World Cup matches. He was selected to referee at the NCAA Division I Finals in 1980, '81, '82, '83, and '89. He also has the distinction of being the first United States official to be asked to referee a full international match in Europe when he handled a game in Dublin.

Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1995.