Members of the organizations that could decide if there will be a high school soccer season this winter met Thursday to come to a contractual agreement with referees who man the San Diego Section's soccer games.

Bill Stout, president of the High School Sports Officiating Coalition (HSSOC), said in a voice mail Thursday that members of his organization met with the Southern California Soccer Officials Association of San Diego.

Stout said he is likely to have more information about the discussions and the negotiation progress Friday.

“It's not going to be as much as people would like to see, but I will have a comment for the media (Friday),” said Stout, whose organization is an independent group representing schools and coaches.

“All I can tell you is that the HSSOC had a couple of representatives who met (Thursday) morning with the soccer association representatives and had discussions. They are now both going back to their representative groups with information.

“I got a brief verbal summary of the meeting, but I am not at liberty to divulge the content of that prior to the rest of the HSSOC hearing it and coming to a conclusion.”

The officials notified the coalition in September that they would withhold services should a mutual agreement not be reached.

Negotiations stalled after the HSSOC and the referees couldn't agree on requested fees.

Soccer officials are calling for a $5-per-game increase for the 2008-2009 season with a total increase of $12 per game during the next three years.

Section Commissioner Dennis Ackerman, the HSSOC, coaches and athletic directors agreed in a meeting earlier this month to try to initiate negotiations with the soccer officials rather than canceling the season or resorting to other solutions.

Stout said last week that both parties are hoping to make considerable progress by Friday.