One thing I think referees need is a passion for the game. We need to know what a good game looks like, not from the referee standpoint, but from a fan's standpoint. Fans want a nice flowing game, end-to-end action with shots, saves, and slide tackles. They don't want a rugby match with thugs on the field and no one can get the ball into the penalty box.
On top of reffing throughout the season good referees must be watching soccer, and not just the MLS. Although I don't get to watch as much as I like, I try to watch 1-2 games during the week, usually a Champions League game from Europe (like the games on today or tomorrow) or an EPL or Bundesliga game on the weekend.
Now, you might be interested to know how I do this while I don't even have basic cable. Good question. I go to a website called www.atdhe.net. No, it is not a subscription or a scam. You don't pay for anything and you never submit any personal information. Every day it will have a list of games, TV shows, etc. that you can stream live. Check the site around 2:30 and you'll see all the Champions League games listed, usually with multiple streams for each, even in different languages sometimes.
To be a great referee you need to see what the big guys are doing on the biggest stage, both their good and bad decisions. You must see how players of that caliber react to being hacked, held, or tackled. You need to take what you see in these games and determine what things you can bring from these games and implement in your games. You need to watch soccer to know how to referee it effectively!
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