History

 
Ken Aston with AYSO Referees                             AYSO Referee/Evaluator Manny Fineberg and Ken Aston  

Ken Aston was a pioneering English referee (1915-2001) who revolutionized the sport with visual communication methods. He was the first to wear the black referee uniform with white trim, introduced yellow flags for linesmen, and spearheaded the introduction of the fourth official, and the red and yellow card system in 1970.

Ken Aston was Principal Instructor for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), a position he held for 21 years.

The tournament was established to reflect the legacy of Ken Aston, a legendary FIFA referee instructor and advocate for player safety and fair play.

The tournament focuses on evaluating and promoting the quality of refereeing, ensuring referees maintain high standards in their officiating during AYSO tournament play.

The Cup continues his legacy, emphasizing that the referee is not just an official but a "director" of the match, aiming for a fair and safe game.

  
Evaluator Peter Fink and Ken Aston at the Ken Aston Cup in 1996, Peter Fink with Ken Aston Cup Staff in 2024