...that soccer helps to provide our kids and ourselves an opportunity to support our community

...that soccer continues to provide us with priceless memories that we will cherish for years to come.

...that every participant plays the game with the spirit, joy, and skill that makes soccer ‘The Beautiful Game’

...that our tournament inspires all of us to recognize we live in the world’s greatest country

...that for one small portion of time we smile, laugh and live for today.

...that the referees get all the calls correct.

...that yellow and red cards will be absent from play and parents, coaches and family applaud every good play.

...that all our participants enjoy Rancho Bernardo and all of our surrounding communities beautiful features.

...that MLS comes to San Diego and a new Women’s Professional Soccer league rises to recreate the success of the San Diego Spirit.

...that everyone realizes that when they tie their cleats and tap their shinguards they are a winner.

Rules of Competition

FC San Diego would like to take this opportunity to welcome the players, coaches, referees, parents and friends to our tournament. In the next few paragraph we would like to explain to each of you the special information and rules of our tournament --- FC San Diego Presidents Cup.

1. General

This Class I tournament is open to all boys & girls teams under 9 - 14 from CYSA-S and USYSA National Affiliates. The application deadline is December 21, 2008. Qualifying applications will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application. Decisions are final.

2. Roster

 The roster limit is a maximum of eighteen (18) players (14 maximum in U-8, U-9 & U-10). A maximum of five (5) loan players is allowed. All players must have a laminated Player Pass from their state or national association. A medical release form is also required. Any player without both of these documents will not be allowed to play. Travel papers are required outside of CYSA-S. U-8 will play in U-9 Black Bracket

3. Tournament Check-In

Coaches or Team Administrators must attend their assigned mandatory check-in meeting on the Friday night prior to their Saturday competition. All rosters, medical release forms, and player ID cards will be verified at check-in. Completed game cards and assigned team roster must be submitted at this time.

4. Game Check-In

Teams must be at their assigned fields at least thirty-minutes (30) before their scheduled game times for check-in. The “No Shin Guard, No Play” rule will be strictly enforced. All players must have appropriate jerseys, with unique numbers prominently displayed on the backs. The player ID cards of two teams will be collected and verified.

5. Home Teams

The first team listed on the playing schedules is the designated home team. The two teams competing in a game must locate themselves on opposite sides of the field. The home team shall have the first choice of location. Teams shall include players, substitutes, coaches, and spectators. The home team will provide the game ball or the ball will be provided by the tournament. The designated away team will have the privilege of calling the coin toss. If the referee determines there is a conflict in jersey colors of the two teams, the home team is required to change to another color jersey. Any home team required to change to another jersey that fails to provide the means to do so, will be in violation of the rules and forfeit for that game.

6. Forfeits

Any team that fails to have seven (7) eligible players on the field at the scheduled game time (6 for U-8, U-9, and U-10) in appropriate uniform will forfeit the game. There will be no grace period. The tournament committee will credit a score of 1-to-0 (8 points) to the team that was present and ready to play.

7. Game Cards

The Team Manager shall present the game card to the referee before the start of each game. Referees will enter goals scored as half-time score, and the final score of the match. Referees will also record any misconduct (jersey #, first and last name of any player, coach or spectator ejected or cautioned), and return the cards to the Field Marshal. (See Rule #10, Misconduct and Yellow Cards)

8. Rules of Play

Games will be played according to FIFA Laws of the Game, except as modified by these Tournament Rules of Competition. The table in Rule #16 summarizes the significant differences. All final games will be regulation length.

9. Substitutions

Substitutions can occur at any dead ball situation with the consent of the referee.

10. Misconduct, Red and Yellow Cards

 Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team (including coaches, players, and spectators) and may be cautioned or ejected for their misconduct. Any player or coach ejected will not be permitted to participate for the remainder of that game and their team’s next scheduled game. At the discretion of the tournament committee, ejected players/coaches may be suspended from participation for the remainder of the tournament. A red card will result in the deduction of 1 point from the team’s total number of points in the standings. The Field Marshal shall immediately report all red cards to the Head Field Marshal and the Tournament Director. The Field Marshal must collect a completed “USYSA Referee’s Report” form from the referee for each red card issued.

11. Termination

 If the referee due to weather, field conditions or misconduct terminates a game, the Tournament Committee will decide the impact of this termination on the tournament standings. *It is recognized and understood upon entering the San Diego Presidents Cup that adverse weather is an Act of God. Further, entrance to this tournament requires acceptance of all decisions regarding use of facilities (therefore, potentially, the outcome of competition) by the Tournament Committee as final without objection, appeal or compensation whatsoever.

12. Protest

The FC San Diego Presidents Cup Committee will accept no protest.

13. Competition Format

The following points system will be awarded in the preliminary games:

• Six (6) points for each win
• Three (3) points for each tie.
• Zero (0) points for each loss.
• One (1) point for each goal scored - maximum of three (3) points for each game (whether win, loss, or tie).
• One (1) point for a shut out, even if a 0-0 tie.
• Forfeit equals eight (8) points.
• Minus one (-1) for each player or coach ejected. (See Rule #10 for rules regarding eject players/coaches)
• Failure to begin a match, complete a match or a team leaving the field of play shall result in a forfeit to the opposing team by a score of 1-0.

14. Tie-Breaker

If teams are tied after preliminary games, the following tie-breaking system will be used to determine the winner:

• Head to head competition between the two teams tied. In the case of a three-way tie, head to head is never used and the tie-breaker will automatically revert to the second option.
• Goals allowed (fewest goals against)
• Goals scored (goals for, maximum of four goals per game)
• Most wins
• Most shut outs
• FIFA penalty kicks. Only the players on the field at the end of regulation are eligible to participate in the penalty kicks. The referee shall decide the goal at which all the kicks shall be taken. The team winning the coin toss shall kick first. No player may shoot more than once until all eligible teammates have taken a kick. Each team takes (5) shots, alternately. The team scoring the most goals wins.
• Championship games tied after regulation will play two 7-minute overtime periods for U11-U14. 5-minute overtime periods for U8 – U10.

15. Championship Awards

First and second place awards (medals) will be given to the players of the top two teams in each division. First place team will also receive a Championship T-shirt.

16. Game Times

17. Age Groups

*** In case of inclement weather or field conditions, games may:

1. Be shortened
2. Go to F.I.F.A. penalty kicks
3. Be canceled

*If the Tournament Director rules that during the preliminary round penalty kicks will be taken due to inclement weather or field conditions, the following rain rule will apply:

Each team will take a maximum of five (5) penalty kicks.

At the end of five (5) kicks the game will be scored as a 1-0 win for the team that has scored more penalty kicks, or a 0-0 tie if both teams are tied in penalty kicks at the end of five (5) kicks.

Every team must show up to their assigned field at the mandated time.
Referees will conduct the penalty kick shootout.

There will be no refunds or reimbursements of tournament application fee for cancellation or forfeiture of games.