Eligibility

This tournament is for league and intra-club tournament teams only. Under-10 and younger teams may not compete in competitive brackets at ages Under-11 and older. Under-11 and older teams may compete in an older age level at a competitive division the same or one lower. Under-12 and older teams may compete in a younger age level in a competitive division the same or one higher, provided all players are eligible for that younger age level. Premier teams may only register for Premier brackets.

Brackets

Boys and Girls

In the event there are insufficient teams to fill a bracket, the Tournament Director may, with prior notification to the teams involved, combine age levels or competitive divisions to complete a tournament bracket. Under-10 and younger teams may not compete in competitive brackets at ages Under-11 and older. When a bracket is filled, the Tournament Director may, with prior notification to the teams involved, allow teams the opportunity to play at a higher age level or competitive division.

Bracket Size

Minimum of 4 teams, maximum of 12.

Location of Games

The games will be played on fields in the cities of Burnsville and Savage, and adjoining cities of Apple Valley, Lakeville and Eagan if additional fields are needed.

Entry Fee

Application Deadline

Applications and entry fees must be postmarked by May 7, 2008 or submitted online by May 9, 2008. Teams are accepted in the order that fully completed tournament registration forms and registration fees are received until a bracket is filled. The Burnsville Fire Soccer Club reserves the right to refuse entry to any team.

Notification of Acceptance

Notification of acceptance will be sent to teams as brackets are filled, but in no case later than June 2, 2008.

Refunds

No refunds are given to teams withdrawing from the tournament after being notified of acceptance. Partial refunds will be considered if the tournament is shortened or canceled.

Out of State Teams

Teams from clubs not affiliated with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) must supply written proof of permission to travel from their state association at least 15 days prior to the tournament. Failure to do so may result in the team being dropped from the tournament and no refund will be made.

International Teams

Teams from clubs not affiliated with the US Soccer Federation (USSF) must supply written proof of permission to travel from their country at least 30 days prior to the tournament. Failure to do so may result in the team being dropped from the tournament and no refund will be made.

Guest Players

Up to 6 guest players are allowed. Guest players must be age eligible. Under-10 and younger players may guest play on Under-11 and older teams. All guest players must be registered on a separate Guest Player Roster, found on the tournament web site.

Number of Games

Three games are guaranteed. Under-11 and above may play additional games depending on their record and the number of teams in the bracket. Under normal conditions the maximum number of games per day will be two. In no case will a team play more than three games per day.

Schedules

Unless modified due to weather, all tournament games will be played as follows:

There will be at least 2 hours between the scheduled end of one game and the beginning of the next for teams playing in both games. For example, a 60-minute game starting at 8:00 a.m.: the next game for that team cannot start before 11:00 a.m.

Check-in

Check-in will begin at 3:00 pm on Friday June 27, 2008 and will continue through Saturday June 28, 2008 at tournament headquarters. Teams must check-in at least 60 minutes before their first game or by 11:00 am Saturday June 28, whichever comes first. An official team player roster form is required with names and numbers at check-in. Rosters are frozen at check-in. Roster forms may be found on the tournament web site. Current picture player passes are required at check-in and must be available at each game. All teams are required to have medical authorizations for each player available for inspection at check-in and games. Teams not affiliated with USYSA must present written proof of insurance coverage for all players, coaches, and personnel at check-in. Players rostered on more than one team will be disqualified. NO PASS…NO PLAY

Tournament HQ

North River Hills Park
11501 19th Ave
Burnsville, MN 55337

Tournament Director

Steve Hermansen
P.O. Box 1394
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-215-8182
firecup@burnsvillefire.org

Rules

This tournament will be played following FIFA Laws of The Game, as modified by the MYSA and as modified herein. The Tournament Director(s) have the right to modify any tournament rule or schedule that, in their sole judgment, is required for the safe and timely completion of the tournament.

Players Per Side

Roster Size

Minimum
Maximum
Under-09
to
Under-10
4
12
Under-11
to
Under-12
6
14
Under-13
to
Under-16
7
18
Under-17
to
Under-19
7
22

(U17-19 may roster 22 at check-in but only 18 may be in uniform at any one game with those players not playing being crossed out.)

Game Lengths

Overtime

Overtime shall be played only in play-off and championship games. The overtime period will consist of two even five-minute overtime periods for a total of ten minutes. If a team is leading after the two even five-minute overtime periods (ten minutes total) they will be declared the winner. If the game is still tied after the two even overtime periods, FIFA "Kicks from the Penalty Mark" rules will apply in order to determine a winner. For U11-U19 teams that have four teams in their flight and/or pool and they are tied at the end of their preliminary round games, they will go immediately to FIFA "Kicks from the Penalty Mark". The results of the kicks will be recorded and only be used if both teams are tied at the end of preliminary rounds as part of the "Tie Breaker" rules step 5. The game will be listed as a tie and the score will be what it was at the end of regulation play.

Game Balls

The home team, listed first on the schedule, will be responsible for providing an acceptable ball for the game. If additional game balls are needed, either team can supply a ball. The ball needs to be approved by the referee. Under-9 through Under-12 games will use a size 4 ball; Under-13 through Under-19 games will use a size 5 ball.

Uniforms

The home team will be listed first on the schedule. Both teams should bring two sets of uniforms to each game, however if the referee determines there is a uniform color conflict, the home team will be required to change uniforms. Each player must have a number on their uniform, with no other player on the team wearing the same number.

Equipment

Shin guards are required for all players. The referee has the final decision on the safety of all players’ equipment and clothing. A player will be allowed to wear a cast only if, in the opinion of the referee, it is well padded and will not constitute a risk of injury to the player or others. Players must have their own numbers on jerseys with no numbers being shared by players on the same team.

Substitutions

A player may be substituted at the following stoppages in play with the permission of the referee; either team at goal kicks, either team after a goal, either team at half time, either team after an injury when played is stopped by the referee and prior to a throw-in, by the team with possession of the ball, if the team in possession of the ball is substituting, both teams may substitute except for U9-12 teams which may substitute at any stoppage of play.

Kickoff Time

A forfeit will be declared for any teams not ready to play after either a grace period of 10 minutes beyond the scheduled kick-off time or the completion of the preceding game, whichever is later.

Player Passes

Player passes will be checked against the official roster at registration and returned to team managers for presentation to referees at each game. NO PASS…NO PLAY

Game Scores

The referee will turn in the scorecard to the field marshal. The field marshal will be responsible for calling in the score to the scoring table as well as turning in the scorecard to the scoring table at the end of their shift. No scores will be considered final until the scorecard has been turned in to the scoring table and verified.

Verification of Scores

Coaches are responsible for verifying the accuracy of game scores and tournament points, which will be posted at tournament headquarters and the tournament web site.

Tournament Scoring

For Under-09 and Under-10, no scores are recorded, there are no playoffs, and no champions will be declared.

For Under-11 to Under-19, the following ten point scoring system will be used:

*A forfeit will be recorded as a score of 2-0 and 9 points to the non-forfeiting team.
**A 0-0 tie will result in 4 points for each team, 3 for the tie and 1 for the shutout.

Unequal Games

Played If teams have an unequal number of games in the preliminary rounds, a calculation will be made to compensate. The total points earned by the team(s) with fewer games will be divided by their number of games and then multiplied by the number of games for the team(s) with more games. The result will be the tournament score for the team(s) with fewer games. Forfeited games count as games played.

Forfeiting Teams

Teams willfully forfeiting preliminary round games may not advance to championship round play. No awards will be given to any team forfeiting a championship round game. Failure to have the minimum number of players, complete a match or teams leaving the field during play will result in forfeiture. Teams registering for the tournament and forfeiting a game are subject to a $100 fine per game forfeited.

Tie Breakers

If at the end of group play two or more teams have the same number of points, the following system will be used to determine standings:

  1. Winner of head-to-head competition (not valid if more than 2 teams are tied);
  2. Winner of the most games;
  3. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals against) with a maximum of 3 goals differential per game;
  4. Fewest goals allowed;
  5. Penalty kicks according to FIFA.

Championship Rounds

U-11 and older brackets may include championship or playoff round(s) in addition to pool play. Teams advancing to these playoffs will not be notified directly, all teams should check the tournament standings online or at tournament headquarters for those teams advancing. Championship round games may not end in ties; the overtime rules listed above will be followed.

Awards

All Under-9 and Under-10 players receive participation awards. Awards are given for first and second place teams at Under-11 and above.

Protests

Protests are not allowed. The Tournament Director shall resolve any disputes; their decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Red Cards

One game suspension will be imposed on players receiving a Red Card for:

  1. Receiving a second yellow card in one game
  2. Denying a goal-scoring opportunity either by deliberately handling the ball or by an offense punishable by a free kick

Two game suspensions will be imposed on players receiving a Red Card for:

  1. Serious foul play, except as noted above;
  2. Spitting at an opponent or other person;
  3. Offensive, insulting or abusive language
  4. Violent conduct.

Note that a two-game suspension shall result even if the player had received a yellow card prior to the red. There is no limit to the number of yellow cards a player can receive during the tournament. Player passes from MYSA teams will be kept by the Tournament Director and delivered to the MYSA offices. For non-MYSA teams the pass will be returned to the coach at the conclusion of the tournament and the team’s state association will be notified.

Conduct

Proper conduct is expected of players, coaches, parents and fans. We reserve the right to require any team member, coach or spectator to leave the tournament for unsporting behavior. Drugs, alcohol & tobacco are not permitted on tournament premises.

Medical Incidents

Emergency Medical Services can be summoned through the Field Marshal at each site. Coaches/Team Managers are responsible for their own first aid kits with adequate ice and water.

Referees

Only currently certified USSF officials and visiting foreign referees with proper accreditation from their national association will work this tournament. A single-referee with club lines will be used at Under-9 & Under-10 games. A three-referee system will be used for all other games. If a club line is required for any reason, they will call ball out of play only.

Pets

Pets should not be brought to the fields for the safety of the spectators, players and the pets themselves. However, if you do bring your pet, local ordinances require that all pets be leashed, controlled and cleaned up after.

Risk Management Plan

Any incident at a field involving injury or inappropriate conduct of tournament participants should be reported immediately to the Field Marshal who is equipped with a cell phone. The Field Marshal will contact Emergency Medical Services if necessary and then report to the Tournament Headquarters. The Tournament Director will contact the club Risk Manager to complete an investigation and report of any such incident. It is expected that coaches will provide basic first aid, including ice and water.

Lost Children

In the event of a child becoming lost or separated, Field Marshals are instructed to keep the child with them and notify tournament headquarters by phone. Tournament headquarters will put local law enforcement on notice so that all calls can be appropriately responded to.

Playing Conditions

Teams are expected to play regardless of the weather. Referees have authority to temporarily suspend play due to unsafe weather conditions; however, teams should remain in the vicinity for resumption of the game. Only the Tournament Director may cancel or reschedule a game.

Weather

All games will be conducted under the following weather rules in accordance with MYSA guidelines:

If lightning is within 5 miles, the game(s) should be suspended and shelter sought. A rough guideline is to measure the time between the lightning flash and hearing the corresponding thunder. If it is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter. It may not be possible to determine which lightning strike generated which roll of thunder. A simple rule: If you can hear it, clear it. Games should not be restarted for at least 30 minutes after the last roll of thunder is heard.

Tournament officials will monitor the heat index (by weather radio, online or the Weather Channel) and inform field marshals, teams and game officials of the heat index status. Coaches are encouraged to also monitor the conditions. The following are the tournament guidelines when there is a possibility of a dangerously high heat index.

Heat Index Recommended Guidelines

Goal Anchors/Nets

All goals will be securely anchored. No climbing or hanging on goals is allowed.