Washington Cup 11U-14U: Playing Rules & Procedures

1)  Playing Rules

All matches under WA Cup Tournament jurisdiction shall be played according to the rules and regulations recognized by the WA Cup Tournament Committee which shall be the same rules set by FIFA/ U.S. Soccer (USSF) except for those modifications authorized by the WPL, NSRL, FIFA or USSF.

2) Point System (Group Play)

WA Cup shall operate under the 10-point system.

A) 6 points for a win awarded to the winning team.

B) 3 points awarded for a tie to both teams.

C) 0 points awarded to the losing team.

D) 1 point for shutout.

E) 1 point per goal (up to 3 goals).

2A) Tiebreakers

In the event where an unequal number of matches have been played by teams within a division, an average “points per match” may be used. For tiebreaker situations, see the following:

A) Head-to-head Points (win/lose/draw) between teams

B) Goal differential of each team (Goals for, minus goals against)

C) Goals against 

D) Goals For (up to 5 per game)

E) In the event all tiebreakers are equal, the winner shall be decided by coin toss.

1. If 3 or more teams are tied, the tiebreaker criteria listed will be used in order above to first eliminate or second promote one team. Teams remaining will then be compared again starting with first tiebreaker.

2. Goals will be capped at 5 for the determination of tiebreakers in all divisions.

3) Elimination Round Matches

All elimination round matches must end in a final result. If a match ends in a tie at the end of a quarter-final or semi-final match, the teams will proceed directly to "kicks-from-the-mark" where a winner will be decided. In the finals, there will be two 5-minute periods of "Golden goal". The first team to scores will be deemed the winner. If a match remains tied following the Golden Goal periods, "kicks-from-the-mark" will decide the winner.

4)  Match Lengths

 For the Preliminary Group Play Weekend, all WA CUP 11U-14U matches will consist of 2-30 minute periods and a 5 minute halftime. For the Knockout Weekend, 11U-12U matches will stay at 2-30 minute periods and a 5 minute halftime. The 13U-14U matches will increase to 2-35 minute periods and a 5 minute halftime. All the 11U-14U Quarterfinals and Semifinals matches that are tied at the end of regulation, will go directly to "kicks from the mark." For the Finals, matches that are tied at the end of regulation will play 2-5 minute "Golden Goal" periods. The first goal scored during the "Golden Goal" ends the match. If at the end of the "Golden Goal" periods, neither team has scored, the Champion will be decided by "kicks from the mark."

5) US Club Official Rosters, Match Day Rosters & Player Eligibility

A) All teams may list up to 26 players on their US Club Official Roster.

B) Players can only be rostered to one team that is affiliated with US Club Soccer.

C) In order to create a level of fairness for each level of play, players who were previously rostered (within the past 6 months) to either an ECNL, ENPL, EA, GA, DPL or Washington Super League team may only participate on teams playing in the Gold Division (unless approved by the WA Cup Tournament Committee).

D) The WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster is limited to a maximum of 18 players for each match. If the US Club Official Roster has more than 18 players listed, players may be substituted for different matches. Players listed on the WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster at pre-game check in, are the only players allowed to play in the match. 

E) The US Club Rosters will typically be frozen in the GotSport system the week prior to the tournament starting. 

F) Both the US Club Official Roster and the WA Cup/WPL Match Day Roster must have matching jersey numbers listed for all players. Jersey numbers may not be taped. If a jersey adjustment must be made, it must be reported to the Center Referee, the opposing team’s coaching staff, and a tournament official (if available), prior to the match starting. The Center Referee must initial the change on all WPL/WA Cup Match Day Rosters. 

G) US Club Official Rosters cannot be altered after they have been frozen. For WA Cup, all Official US Club Rosters must be printed, NO EXCEPTIONS!

H) WPL/WA Cup Match Day Rosters must be printed. Handwritten updates for coaches and/or players may only be made if approved by Tournament Staff. Please note, we may not have staff at every field due to the number of venues required. Teams must make sure their WPL/WA Cup Match Day Rosters are correct. Jersey # updates must be approved by Tournament Staff or if none is present, the referee and opposing team must be made aware of the jersey # update prior to the start of the match. See (F).

 

6)  Match Day Procedures 

A) Teams must have in possession the following items for each Match played: 

        1. Three physical copies of the team’s WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster 

        2. One physical copy of the team’s Official US Club Roster  

        3. Valid US Club ID cards (with a current head shot photo) laminated for all listed players and Club/Team Staff on WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster and/or digital copies of each player and Club/Team Staff participating in the match. A limit of 18 players and 4 Club Staff members permitted.

        4. Valid US Club ID Card for all coaches/staff with current photo and laminated (must be on their person at all times). Preferably on a lanyard. 

        5. Physical copies of all the medical releases for each rostered player, signed by their parent/guardian 

        6. Proof that all parents, players, coaches, and staff have completed the Concussion Compliance and Cardiac Arrest Protocol. 

B) Teams must present the following to the referee for the pre-match check in 

        1. 2 copies of their printed WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster  

        2. If the WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster has handwritten changes (regarding eligible players), there must be a notation from the tournament staff that it has been approved. In the event of jersey # adjustment, the Center Referee can approve handwritten  jersey # changes by initializing his/her approval next to the change. The opposing team must also be notified prior to the start of the match.

        3. Valid US Club Player and Coach ID cards for all players, coaches, and team staff (a maximum of 4 coaches/staff member per team may be on the sidelines for each match). No valid US Club ID card, no play or bench access to the team technical area. No exceptions! 

C) Pre-Match Team Exchange 

         1. Teams must exchange WPL/WA Cup Match Day Rosters prior to the match. Also, if a team      requests a copy of the team’s US Club Roster, the team must provide a copy. Once the match has started, teams are not required to provide their US Club Official Roster. 

D) Post-Game 

1. Immediately after the match, both teams must report the score by logging into GotSport. The Pin # and Match # can be found on the WPL/WA Cup Match Day Roster.     

   

7) Forfeits 

Forfeits will be recorded as a 1-0 result. The WPL and the Washington Cup tournament committee reserve the right to impose sanctions on teams that forfeit matches. Forfeiting teams may be fined and/or expelled from the tournament and/or impose other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the WPL and the Washington Cup tournament committee. 

 

8) Substitutions: 

 Substitutions are at the referee’s discretion. A substitution can take place at any stoppage with the referee’s permission. 

Unlimited substitutions are allowed but the WPL reminds all coaches that it is their responsibility to handle their substitutions in a professional manner so as not to detract from the game. 

 

9) Illegal players: 

Any player that does not appear on the US Club Master Roster shall be considered an illegal player. “Guest players” and “Club Passing” are strictly forbidden 

Any team using an illegal player(s) shall forfeit each match the illegal player(s) were rostered or played in. In addition, the guilty team shall be removed from the tournament and could face other sanctions from the WPL and/or US Club Soccer. 

 

10) Appeals: 

Referee "judgment decisions" are final and may not be appealed. Any other appeal must be verbally lodged with the Center Referee and the opposing coach prior to the teams leaving the field after the match has concluded.. The appeal must then be made in writing to the Tournament Director within one hour of the end of the match. The Tournament Director will review any appeal correctly filed under this rule. There will be a $250 non-refundable fee for any appeal filed. All decisions of the Tournament Director/Committee are final. 

 

11)  Shortened/Abandoned Matches

· Referees are the sole arbiter of the match clock. Their decisions regarding match length are final and may not be appealed. If matches are shortened or abandoned for any reason, the Tournament Director/Committee reserves the right to determine how the match result shall be determined. Decisions by the Tournament Director/Committee in determining the official match result are final and may not be appealed. 

 

12)  Match Start Times

Referees start the match clock at the designated time regardless of whether teams are ready to play. A referee may add time lost due to injury, but the match must conclude at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the next match. A five-minute grace period will be allowed for teams that do not have the minimum number of players to start the match. 

 

13)  Minimum Number of Players to start and finish a Match 

For 13U and older a minimum of 7 players must start and end the match. For 11U and 12U a minimum of 6 players must start and end the match. If a team does not have the required number of players (after the 5-minute grace period), they will forfeit the match with the other team receiving the win. 

 

14)  Team Sidelines

Players and Coaches of both teams must be on one side of the field, spectators on the other side (unless otherwise specified by the field rules). Coaches, players, and spectators are not allowed behind the goal line, or closer to the goal line than the edge of the 18 yard penalty line area. Only those people with a valid US Club Player or Coach’s ID card are allowed on the team’s side of the field. Coaches and Club Staff must have their US Club ID on their person (preferably on a lanyard around their neck) to be on the Team sideline during the match. A maximum of 4 Club staff/Coaches are allowed on the team sideline. 

 

15) Alternate Color Jersey 

 Each team must have an alternate jersey color. The home team (listed first) will be responsible for changing jerseys if there is a color conflict. 

 

16)  Cautions and Ejections

 Any player receiving two yellow cards in a single match will be shown the red card (Red Card rules apply) and sent off and may not be replaced. Any player that receives a Red card in a match will receive at least a one-match suspension (the next match). The Tournament Director/Committee may apply a greater suspension, if warranted. Cautions and ejections received in the Washington Cup will only apply to Washington Cup.  Any WPL cautions and/or Red cards received during the regular WPL season play will carry over to the Washington Cup tournament. 

Any coach or team official that is ejected for unreasonable behavior in a match, must immediately leave the match site so as not to be within sight or sound of the field and will serve a minimum of a one match suspension, which may be increased depending on the nature of the ejection. In the event the coach or team official refuses to leave, the referee shall suspend the match and report to the Tournament Director/Committee who may rule the match a forfeit by the offending team. 

 

17)  Player’s Equipment 

 No equipment shall be worn that is dangerous to another player, including any cast constructed of hardened material, without approval from the Tournament Director/Committee and/or the lead match official. Shin guards, covered by socks, are mandatory. All casts and equipment are subject to approval by the match referee and/or Tournament Director/Committee. 

 The home team is responsible for supplying 3 match quality balls for the match. 

 

18)  Inclement Weather

In any event that play cannot be started or is stopped due to weather, teams will take cover, but will remain at the match site and proceed as follows: 

If time allows resume play and play to completion. 

If there is insufficient time to play the entire match, the match will continue until the half is completed. The match will then be considered complete. 

The Tournament Director/Committee and/or the Center referee will coordinate any stoppage of play. The Tournament Director/Committee reserves the right to make whatever adjustments deemed necessary to proceed with the tournament schedule following delays due to inclement weather. 

 

19) Other 

Trainers may or may not be provided at any of the tournament match locations. Teams are encouraged to bring first aid equipment as the tournament may or may not provide those items. Emergency services (911) are to be called for all injuries, both on and off the field. 

Rules governing match venues are posted at the various locations. All teams, coaches and spectators are expected to follow all posted venue rules. In addition, alcohol and swearing are not permitted at any location. Violators of these rules will be asked to leave the venue. 

 

20) Code of Conduct

Do not tarnish the game of soccer, the WPL, US Club Soccer, USSF, your Club, your Team, yourself or your family. Behave reasonably, respectfully, and ethically. 

 

21) Matters Not Specified

 In the event Washington Cup Rules may be deemed insufficient, WPL  Rules  will apply.