Rules & Rosters

⚽ MDSL Recreational Cup — Tournament Rules

The Recreational Cup is a two-day event. Teams will typically play two games on Saturday and at least one game on Sunday.
The top two teams in each bracket (or the top team if multiple brackets exist) will advance to the final.
🏅 Trophies and medals are awarded to the Champion and Finalist teams.

📝 Check-in and Credentials

REGISTRATION:
All registration must be completed online via GotSport.
Teams must upload:

• Official team roster
• MDSL Team Waiver

All documents must be submitted by the check-in deadline.
Once a roster is submitted, no roster changes will be allowed.

CREDENTIALS:
At mandatory online check-in, teams must provide all required credentials.

Player Rules:

• Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament.
• Players must have unique jersey numbers and cannot change numbers or jerseys once registration is complete.
• Teams may have up to 5 guest players, listed directly on the roster with name, number, and date of birth.

⚽ Rules of Play

Governing Rules:
FIFA Laws of the Game apply as modified by USYS and MSYSA.

• Players U11 and younger (including those playing up) may not deliberately head the ball.
  • If a header occurs, play will be stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick.

Build-Out Lines:
For U8–U10, build-out lines will be marked with cones on turf fields for:

• Goal kicks
• Goalkeeper distribution
• Offside determination
  🚫 No punts allowed

Game Duration:

• U-8 – U-10: 7v7, two 25-minute halves, ball size 4
• U-11 – U-12: 9v9, two 25-minute halves, ball size 4

Preliminary matches will not include overtime.
Scoring:

• Win = 3 points
• Tie = 1 point
• Loss = 0 points

Tied elimination games will go directly to kicks from the penalty mark.

In case of a tiebreaker in the standing, refer to the GotSport tiebreaker link on your team’s schedule.

🏆 Format

Note: Wild card teams will not face opponents from the same preliminary group in their first elimination match.

Halftime: 3 minutes

👟 Game Conduct & Equipment

Pre-Game Check-In:
Referees will inspect player equipment before kickoff.
Team managers must carry:

• Player medical release forms
• Laminated player cards

Referees and field marshals will handle all game cards — managers do not need to transport them.

Substitutions:
Unlimited, with referee approval, at any stoppage in play (per USYSA Rule 302).

Equipment:

• Shin guards are mandatory.
• Referees may determine safety of braces or other gear.

👨‍🏫 Coaching & Conduct

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, substitutes, and spectators.

Coaching is permitted if:

• No mechanical devices are used.
• Tone remains positive and instructive.
• Coach remains within 10 yards of the halfway line.
• No profanity, arguing with referees, or disruptive behavior occurs.

🚩 Cautions & Ejections

• Two yellow cards in a single match = automatic red card and ejection.
• Ejected players/coaches may not be replaced in that match and must miss the next game.
• Violent conduct or serious foul play = two-game suspension.
• Assault on a referee = immediate expulsion from the tournament.
• Suspended coaches may not be in sight or sound of the field and may not communicate with the team during play.

The Disciplinary Committee may require hearings for players or coaches with repeated offenses.

⛔ Suspended & Terminated Games

• Games stopped due to weather or injury may be resumed if time allows.
• Games terminated for misconduct will result in forfeiture and potential suspension from the tournament.
• All misconduct will be reported to the team’s home league and State Association.

🩹 Injury Policy

Referees may add time for injuries at their discretion. However, matches must finish before dark; excessive delays may result in shortened or adjusted games.

⚖️ Tournament Competition

Referee Decisions:
All referee decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Determining Winners:

• Champions receive trophies and medals.
• Finalists receive medals.

Home & Away Designation:

• The Home Team appears first on the schedule.
• Home = Light jerseys, Away = Dark jerseys.
• In case of color conflict, the Home Team changes.
• Home team provides the match ball.

👨‍👩‍👧 Spectator Policy

• Spectators must sit opposite team benches, mirroring their team’s side.
• Teams and spectators do not switch sides at halftime.
• Spectators may not cross midfield or mix with opposing fans.
• Coaches are responsible for controlling spectator behavior.

Respect the Refs:
Unsporting conduct toward referees may result in bans, forfeits, or expulsion from the event.

❌ Forfeits

A forfeit will occur if:

1. A team is not ready to play (with minimum players, coach, and credentials) within 5 minutes of kickoff.
2. A team’s misconduct causes the match to be terminated.

If both teams agree, they may play a shortened friendly after a forfeit, ending at the original match end time.

⚖️ Protests & Disputes

• No protests will be allowed.
• Off-field disputes will be decided by the Tournament Director or designee; all decisions are final.

🤝 Guest Teams

The Tournament Committee may accept Guest Teams to fill late division vacancies.