专业足球裁判员协会(PSRA)怒批MLS NEXT Pro对哥伦布水牛队2队经理Federico Higuain在8月23日与一名女性裁判发生争执一事的处理不力。多名消息人士向ESPN证实，Higuain在水牛队2队与亨茨维尔市FC比赛后的赛后握手仪式中挤压了裁判的手，尽管被告知三次停止，他仍拒绝松开，并做出性别歧视的言论：“别忘了，这是一场男人的比赛。”

MLS NEXT Pro展开了调查， suspension Higuain两场比赛，并下令进行恢复性实践培训，这些培训他已经开始但尚未完成。PSRA指出，美国足球政策规定，“用力抓握”和歧视行为都应至少 suspension 三个比赛。在“forceful grab”和acts of discrimination. The union stated the league's response "falls drastically short" and needs reevaluation.

MLS NEXT Pro为其处理过程辩护， citing a "restorative approach" focused on understanding and accountability. The Columbus Crew said it fully accepted the discipline. A source indicated the league views U.S. Soccer's minimum suspensions as guidelines rather than mandatory requirements, though Policy 202-2 Section 2 states professional leagues "shall adopt and enforce policies" meeting minimum criteria, including at least six matches for referee assault.