RULES OF COMPETITION

All matches shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws except as stated in this rules package. Any disputes will be settled by the Tournament Director and/or designated Tournament Committee member(s). Tournament rules may be modified under extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED OR CONSIDERED.

TEAM & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

The UNITED SC I ❤️ SOCCER CUP is open to all currently registered USYS, US Club Soccer, AYSO, SAY, and ODP/YOP boys’ and girls’ teams. Eligible players are those who are properly registered with USYSA, US Club Soccer, SAY, or AYSO and whose complete name, and date of birth appear on the team’s roster form at the Tournament Credentials Check-in. 

No player may play for more than one team in the UNITED SC I ❤️ SOCCER CUP; dual registered players must declare in writing which team they will play for if both their teams have entered in this tournament.

GUEST PLAYERS POLICY

Each team may have a maximum of four (4) guest players (for teams of all age groups). GUEST players MUST be USYSA registered members for ALL USYSA member teams, For US Club Soccer, AYSO, and SAY teams, their team’s guest players MUST be registered members of their own respective organizations. Cross-organizational guest playing (such as an AYSO registered player guest playing for an USYSA team or vice versa) WILL NOT be permitted. 

MEDICAL RELEASES

An authorization properly executed with original signatures to allow emergency medical treatment of each player must be presented at the time of Team check-in.

TEAM CREDENTIALS CHECK-IN DETAILS

All participating teams must check-in at the Tournament Headquarters tent at Loveland Sports Park at least one (1) hour before the kickoff of their first game.

MANDATORY TEAM DOCUMENTATION

Teams that have state sanctioned rosters and player cards in GotSport.
+ Approved team roster in GotSport
+ Approved player cards in GotSport
+ Documentation for any guest players who are not registered in GotSport (see below)

Teams that have state-sanctioned PRINTED rosters and PRINTED player cards.

Including:
+ Teams coming from out of state who are not registered in GotSport
+ Guest players coming from out of state to play for an in-state team
+ Guest players from in-state who are on the roster of an out of state team.

+ Proof of Approval of the team’s participation from the team’s
USSF affiliate member (USYS, US Club Soccer, AYSO, SAY, etc.), consisting of Invidividual Player Registration Forms and Medical Release Forms
+Approved printed Team Roster (FOUR COPIES)
+ Laminated current soccer year (2020-21) photo pass-cards for EACH player and guest player and EACH coach, issued by the team’s USSF affiliate member (USYS, US Club Soccer, AYSO, etc.)
+ Proof of Permission to travel for teams outside of the USYS Region IV (Interstate Permission Form)

TEAMS USING INELIGIBLE PLAYERS WILL FORFEIT ALL THEIR MATCHES

OFFICIAL MATCH SCHEDULES

The I ❤️ SOCCER CUP match schedules will be released approximately five days prior to the start of the tournament.

AGE SPECIFIC RULES FOR U9/U10 – BUILD OUT LINE

The USYS/CSA is mandating the usage of the Build Out Line (BOL) in 7v7 matches, played by the U9 and U10 age groups. For more details please click HERE for clarification from the Colorado Soccer Association.

AGE SPECIFIC RULES FOR U11 AND UNDER – HEADING

The USYS/CSA is mandating that players on U11 and younger teams shall not engage in heading, either in training or in matches. In the I ❤️ SOCCER CUP, the following rule shall apply – When a player deliberately heads the ball in a match, an Indirect Free Kick (IFK) shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs in the goal area, the IFK shall be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. Referees shall enforce these rules. Referees will not be assessing the age of individual players on the field; they will enforce the rules for the age group.

PRE-MATCH TEAM CHECK-IN

Teams must check in with the assigned referee before each match. The assigned referee crew for the match will conduct the pre-match check-in. Coaches will present their players (with their player/coaches pass cards) to the referee crew. 

PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

Both teams must bring two sets of uniforms to each match. A player’s uniform shall consist of a shirt, shorts, socks, shin-guards, and appropriate footwear. Teams must wear uniquely numbered shirts. Goalkeepers shall wear colors that distinguish them from the other players. Appearance of players is a vital extension of the game. Players must wear shin-guards, with socks pulled up over them and shirts tucked in at the start of each half of play. Hard casts covered with a soft material as well as soft casts are permitted ONLY with the referee’s approval.

MATCH MATRIX BY AGE GROUP

NOTE: ALL age groups will have a FIVE (5) minute halftime. U15/16 and U17-19 age groups may have up to (22) players on the roster but MUST have ONLY (18) players participating in a match.

HOME TEAM

  • Is the first team listed in the match schedule. 
  • Must change their jersey in case of a color conflict. 
  • Is to supply a properly inflated match ball of appropriate size. 
  • May request a match ball that is solid white or black & white in color. 

VISITOR TEAM

  • Is the second team listed in the match schedule.
  • Will get to choose its jersey color. 
  • Should be prepared to supply a properly inflated match ball of appropriate size if called upon.
  • May request a match ball that is solid white or black & white in color. 

Teams (coaches & players) shall occupy the same side of the field (the home team in the E/N half of that touchline and the visitor team in the W/S half of that touchline, depending on the field orientation). ALL the spectators MUST BE on the opposite side of the field from their teams. 

HOME team is designated as the first team listed on the match schedule. For matches with no teams listed (e.g. a Championship), the team whose name is listed alphabetically first in the match schedule will be the home team.

SUBSTITUTIONS

With the referee’s permission, players may be substituted from the mid-field line at ANY STOPPAGE IN PLAY. Substituted players must remain on the sideline until the players they are replacing have left the field. 

FORFEITS

IF a team is unable to field SEVEN (7) players (for teams playing 11v11), SIX (6) players (for teams playing 9v9) and FIVE (5) players (for teams playing 7v7), TEN (10)-minutes after the scheduled match time, that team MAY forfeit that match. Since the purpose of the tournament is to play the matches and the tournament expects to host a large number of out-of-town/state teams that may be unfamiliar with the venues or because there may have been last minute changes that were not properly communicated, the Tournament Director will consider the reasons for the team’s tardiness before declaring a forfeit or allowing additional time before declaring a forfeit. If a team forfeits a match without a justifiable cause, it will be disqualified from Semi-final and Championship matches. To be awarded a forfeit win, your team must show up even if you know your opponent will not. 

ANY TEAM USING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER WILL FORFEIT THAT MATCH; ALSO, ANY TEAM USING AN INELIGIBLE COACH (or Coaches) WILL FORFEIT THAT MATCH, AND THOSE COACHES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO COACH IN THE REST OF THE TOURNAMENT. 

RED & YELLOW CARDS

Any player receiving a red card (or TWO yellow cards) shall be expelled from that match and must leave the playing field, remove his/her uniform jersey, put a conspicuously different shirt on, and stay sitting on the bench (to the satisfaction of the Match Referee AND the Field Marshal), may not be substituted, and is automatically disqualified from participating in his/her team’s next UNITED SC I ❤️ SOCCER CUP match. Players receiving a red card for fighting will not be permitted to play in ANY of their team’s remaining matches in this tournament. Any coach receiving a red card shall be expelled from that match and must leave the immediate vicinity of the playing field (to the satisfaction of the Match Referee AND the Field Marshal) and is automatically disqualified from coaching his/her team’s next scheduled match in this tournament. No substitution will be allowed for an ejected player. ONE (1) point shall be deducted from the team’s point total for EACH red card issued to a player, coach, or team. The photo pass-card shall be held by the referee and turned over to the Tournament HQ. The photo pass-card may be retrieved after the completion of their next scheduled match in the UNITED SC I ❤️ SOCCER CUP and then the player or coach will be eligible to return to the field. If an expelled player &/or coach fails to serve a suspension and plays in or coaches in that team’s next match in this tournament, that team will automatically forfeit that match and will be scored as an abandonment. Referees will provide Misconduct Reports, documenting red cards and expulsions to the Tournament HQ. Red cards MUST be documented and CANNOT be rescinded. Red cards will be reported to that team’s home state association. Upon a written request, the tournament will honor all suspensions and disciplinary actions taken by the team’s home league and will communicate with the appropriate league and state authorities that information and discipline administered during the tournament. Matters involving referee assault or abuse will be referred immediately to the host state association.

POINTS SCORING SYSTEM

  • THREE (3) points for a win
    • ONE (1) point for a tie
    • ONE (1) point for a NO RESULT (a match ended in the first half due to weather)
    • ZERO (0) points for a loss
    • THREE (3) points for a forfeit win (scored as a 1-0 win)
    • NEGATIVE TWO (-2) points for a forfeit or abandonment loss
    • NEGATIVE ONE (-1) point for EACH Red Card issued to a team (player, coach, or team). 

TIE BREAKERS FOR ADVANCEMENT

1. Head to head result

2. Highest TOTAL goal differential (limit a maximum of (4) per match) in ALL bracket matches

3. Least TOTAL number of goals allowed in ALL bracket matches

4. Most TOTAL number of goals scored (limit a maximum of (4) per match) in ALL bracket matches

5. Kicks from the mark, 6. Coin toss. 

Tiebreakers will be applied in this manner: If three (or more) teams are tied, and a tie-breaker results in one (or more) team(s) to be eliminated from the tie, then the tiebreakers are applied again starting with 1. Head to head result above. 

SEMIFINAL & CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

TIES will stand in ALL matches except in Semi-final and Championship matches. In semi-final matches, there is NO overtime and the winner will be decided by Kicks From The Mark (KFTM) in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game. In Championship matches, if tied at the end of regulation, two FIVE (5) minute OT periods for ALL age groups (U9/10 and above) will be played in their entirety (NO GOLDEN GOAL), with a TWO (2) minute halftime. If still tied, Kicks From The Mark (as per FIFA laws) will be taken to determine the winner.

MATCH ABANDONMENT

Tournament scoring for match abandonments will be determined by the Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee after consultation with the Field Marshal and the Referee crew. Scoring for matches terminated by abandonment is ordinarily based on the score at the time of the abandonment; however, depending on the circumstances, the Tournament Director may award or subtract points from the teams’ tournament scores, regardless of the match score, solely at his discretion. Referees determine the abandonment; the Tournament Director determines its effect on the tournament results. 

TEAM CONDUCT & GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Every team in the I ❤️ SOCCER CUP is expected to display GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP throughout the tournament. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators. Referees have complete authority during all matches and will not allow abusive or profane language or threats. If, in the opinion of the referee, a match must be terminated due to serious or persistent misconduct, the match will be abandoned. The team (or teams) at fault may be suspended from any further play and/or required to forfeit all points previously earned, per the judgment of the Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee. Tournament Representatives, Referees, and other Volunteers are not expected to accept verbal abuse from anyone at the event. If the Tournament Director determines that there has been excessive verbal abuse, he may expel a team from the tournament. An expelled team has no right to any refunds, awards, or any other considerations whatsoever. 

ANY PLAYER / COACH / SPECTATOR WHO ASSAULTS A REFEREE AND/OR ANY EVENT STAFF WILL BE PERMANENTLY EXPELLED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND REPORTED TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify any or all the tournament rules to conclude the event safely and fairly. Coaches must be available to be contacted by the tournament staff. Teams must supply a local phone number, cell phone number, and hotel room number at the Check-in, in case we need to contact you for any tournament- related reason.

SUSPENSION OF PLAY

If play is suspended due to inclement weather, field conditions, or other situations beyond the tournament’s control, after the completion of the first half, that match shall be considered complete and official. If a match is suspended prior to completing the first half, the Tournament Director, in consultation with the tournament committee, shall decide how best to complete that match (a shorter match or a PK shootout, etc.). There will be ABSOLUTELY no refunds issued for suspended, shortened, or cancelled matches. 

TOURNAMENT LIGHTNING POLICY

The Tournament Committee will monitor weather conditions at all venues in use. 

As lightning is capable of striking within a TEN (10)-mile radius from the storm-center, the Tournament Committee WILL SUSPEND all matches in a timely fashion. 

ALL TEAMS must clear the playing fields and immediately seek appropriate shelter. Coaches, Players, Spectators, Referees, and Administrators CANNOT override the signal to clear the playing fields.

The Tournament Committee will wait a minimum of (30) minutes from the last observed lightning or thunder before resuming play. 

Once the Tournament Committee has given the ALL-CLEAR signal, teams will have (5) minutes to report back to their field’s Referee Crew.

PROTESTS

NO protests will be allowed. Decisions by the referees MAY NOT be appealed. Eligibility issues and the interpretation of these rules shall be the responsibility of the Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee, and those decisions are final and MAY NOT be appealed. 

LOVELAND SPORTS PARK (LSP) RULES

  • PLEASE PICK UP YOUR TRASH! 
  • Glass containers/bottles are strictly prohibited at the LSP. 
  • Pets are NOT allowed anywhere near the fields at the LSP. 
  • NO SMOKING or other tobacco usage will be allowed near the fields (this includes e-cigarettes). 
  • PLEASE park in designated parking lots ONLY or your vehicle could be towed. DO NOT park on the grass or DO NOT block access for any other vehicles at any time. 
  • PLEASE pick up after yourself and put your trash in the garbage or recycling cans!