Rules & Rosters

Tournament Rules

⚽ Memorial Cup Tournament Rules

🗓️ Tournament Format

• Two-day event:
  • Saturday: 2 games
  • Sunday: At least 1 game
• Finals: Top 2 teams per bracket (or top team overall if multiple brackets).
• Awards: Trophies + medals for Champions, medals for Finalists.

🧾 Check-In & Credentials

Registration:

• All registration is online via GotSport.
• Teams must upload:
  • Official roster (from a US Youth Soccer–affiliated carding program)
  • Player passes
  • Release of Liability form
• Must be completed 5 days before tournament start.
• No roster changes allowed after submission.

Credentials:

• Valid Player I.D. cards with photos and signed Medical Release forms required.
• Teams registered under AYSO, USSF, USYS, USAAA, or US Club Soccer must provide the proper travel documentation (for US Club: approved roster from US Club site).
• Players may only play for one team in the tournament.
• Unique jersey numbers required — no duplicates or mid-tournament changes.

👥 Guest Players

• Maximum 7 guest players (must share the same sanctioning body).
• No mixing US Club and USYS player cards.
• Teams must stay within the age group’s maximum roster limit.

⚖️ Rules of Play

• FIFA Laws of the Game, modified by USYS and MSYSA, apply.
• No heading for U11 and younger (even if playing up).
• Build-out lines apply for U8–U10 games.

⏱️ Game Duration

• Halftime: 3 minutes
• Preliminary rounds: No overtime
• Scoring: Win – 3 pts | Tie – 1 pt | Loss – 0 pts
• Elimination games:
  • U8–U19 → Decided by penalty kicks if tied after regulation.

🏅 Tie-Breakers

1. Refer to GotSport Tiebreaker link on your team’s schedule.
2. Tournament Manager’s decision

🧩 Division Formats

• 4 teams: Top 2 → Final
• 8 teams: Top team in each bracket → Finals
• 12 teams: 1st in each bracket + Wild Card → Semifinals
• 16 teams: 1st (and possibly 2nd) → Quarters or Semis (Tournament Manager’s discretion)
• 20+ teams: 1st in each bracket + Wild Cards → Quarterfinals
• Wild Card teams will be reseeded to avoid immediate rematches.

🎯 Game Check-In & Conduct

• Referees conduct safety checks pregame.
• Managers retain player cards unless requested by referee.
• Medical release forms and laminated player cards must be on hand at all times.
• Referees and field marshals manage official Game Cards (managers do not carry or sign them).

🔁 Substitutions

Unlimited with referee’s permission at any stoppage (USYSA Rule 302).

🧤 Player Equipment

• Shin guards mandatory (per FIFA Law 4).
• Referee determines equipment safety, including hard braces.

🎙️ Coaching Conduct

Coaching is permitted within 10 yards of the halfway line provided:

• No mechanical aids are used.
• Tone is positive/instructive, not derogatory.
• No profanity, harassment, or disruptive behavior.
• Coaches are responsible for players, parents, and spectators.

🟥 Cautions & Ejections

• 2 yellow cards in one game = Red card (ejection).
• Ejected players miss next game; 2 games for violent conduct/serious foul play.
• Ejected coaches: same penalties and must be out of sight and sound during suspensions.
• Disciplinary Committee may impose further sanctions based on Match Reports.

⏸️ Suspended / Terminated Games

• If suspended (e.g., weather), play may resume but must finish 5 min before next game’s start.
• If terminated for misconduct, the offending team forfeits the game and may face expulsion.

🩹 Injury & Added Time

• Referee may add time for injuries, but all matches must conclude before dark.
• Added time will not delay subsequent games.

👨‍⚖️ Referee Decisions

• Referee decisions are final on all in-game matters.
• Tournament will not overrule referee judgments.

🏆 Awards

• Champions: Trophies + medals
• Finalists: Medals

🏠 Home / Away Team Protocol

• Home Team: Listed first on schedule
  • Wears light jerseys, supplies game ball, and kicks off first
• Away Team: Wears dark jerseys, chooses direction first half
• Color conflict: Home team changes jerseys

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Spectators & Sideline Setup

• Spectators sit opposite team benches, mirroring their team’s half.
• No switching sides at halftime or mixing with opposing supporters.
• Each team stays on its half of midfield.

Respect the Refs:
Team officials are accountable for spectator behavior. Abuse toward referees can result in spectator bans, match forfeits, or team expulsion.

⚠️ Forfeits

Automatic forfeit if:

1. Team not ready within 5 minutes of kickoff (minimum players, coach, and cards).
2. Game terminated by referee due to team misconduct.

Teams may play a friendly (shortened) by mutual agreement; score will not count.

🚫 Protests & Disputes

• No protests allowed.
• All off-field disputes handled by Tournament Director; decision is final.

🧭 Guest Teams

Tournament may accept “Guest Teams” to fill open division spots.

💰 Refund Policy

• $150 non-refundable processing fee on all refunds (30+ days notice).
• 21–29 days: 50% refund
• ≤21 days: No refund
• Once brackets are posted: No refunds.

🌧️ Weather / Act of God Policy

• If canceled, $150 admin fee retained.
• 1 game played → 50% refund
• 2 games → 25% refund
• 3+ games → No refund
• Any kicked-off match counts as a game.
• If canceled due to health or safety authority orders, $150 retained; registration may roll over to next year.

🏥 On-Site Medical

Certified athletic trainers will be present at multiple field venues for player injuries.