2004-'05 MDCVSA State Championships

A. Single Elimination Format. The preliminary rounds of the competition will be played at the home team's field within the Designated Time Periods. The semi-finals and finals of the competitions will be played at Bryan Park in Richmond, the weekend of June 11-12, 2005. This is the target date for the "final four" and may be subject to change in the event that the preliminary rounds cannot be completed in time as anticipated.

B. Designated Time Periods. The Designated Time Periods for preliminary state cup matches are divided into two categories: Preferred Time Periods and Alternate Time Periods.
1. Preferred Time Periods:*
• Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1, 2005 (Round 1)
• Friday, May 6 - Sunday, May 8, 2005 (Round 1 makeup)
• Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15, 2005 (Round 2 if necessary)
• Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22 (Round 2 makeup)
• Friday, May 27 - Sunday, May 29, 2005 (Round 3 if necessary)
• Friday, June 3 - Sunday, June 5 (Round 3 makeup)

Friday matches are evenings only and are least desirable among the Preferred Time Periods (i.e., Friday matches should be scheduled only if a Sat./Sun. match cannot be scheduled).

2. Alternate Time Periods:*
• Wednesday April 27 - Thursday April 28 (Round 1)
• Monday, May 2 - Thursday, May 5 (Round 1 makeup)
• Monday, May 9 - Thursday, May 12 (Round 2 if necessary)
• Monday, May 16 - Thursday, May 19 (Round 2 makeup)
• Monday, May 23 - Thursday, May 26 (Round 3 if necessary)
• Monday, May 30 - Thursday, June 2, 2005 (Round 3 makeup)
• Monday, June 6 - Thursday, June 9, 2005 (any remaining makeup)

Weekday matches are evenings only.

* It is the goal to complete Rounds 1, 2, and 3 on a week-to-week basis (weather permitting) until the final four teams have advanced. The "Round" schedule may be changed (either forward or backward) due to the cancellation or the completion of matches. For example, if all Round 1 games are completed the first weekend, Round 2 may be moved forward by a week to the slot currently designated as the "Round 1 makeup."

3. Designated Makeup Dates: It is important that the preliminary rounds, especially the first and second rounds, be played as scheduled or as soon as possible after the scheduled date if the match is cancelled due to inclement weather. Makeup dates selected should be the earliest possible date after the match, even if it falls during an Alternative Time Period. Teams must agree, in advance, to both a match date and a makeup date for every preliminary round match. Teams must report the agreed match and makeup date, time, and location to the State Cup Commissioner (by e-mail to statecup@mdcvsa.org) as soon as an agreement is reached, or within 48 hours after a pairing is announced, whichever occurs first.


C. Match Scheduling Goals. The goal is to play the preliminary round matches during the Preferred Time Periods (i.e., on weekends -- Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday) under the assumption that most teams have greater numbers of players available on the weekends and because experience has shown that scheduling matches on weeknights for traveling teams is problematic. Saturday and Sunday matches are preferred over Friday night (least desirable) matches. Each team captain must make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement to schedule a match during the Preferred Time Periods. Teams may play on weeknights (Alternate Time Periods) if they cannot first reach agreement on a date, time and location for the match during the Preferred Time Periods. Teams should use both Preferred and Alternate Time Periods to schedule makeup matches, with an emphasis on scheduling the makeup match as soon as possible.

D. Authority to Schedule and Reschedule Matches. The State Cup Commissioner has the authority to direct that a match be played, at either a home field, a visiting field, or at a neutral location, if the home team cannot secure a field or if it is determined that the two teams cannot agree on a date and time for the match. The State Cup Commissioner may penalize a team for failing to take reasonable steps to schedule a match, including forfeiture of the match, with the consent of the Executive Committee. The State Cup Commissioner may also reschedule all of part of Round to a subsequent (or prior) period, but may not be able to do so due to scheduling demands. The State Cup Commissioner is under no obligation to accommodate any team's unique scheduling request and may have to schedule a match on a weeknight to ensure that the competition moves forward.

Teams must be prepared to play preliminary round matches during all the Designated Time Periods, including the Designated Makeup Dates. Team captains are encouraged to notify all players on their team that they should set aside these dates throughout the course of the competition.

State Cup matches will take priority over all league matches.

A. Organizational Member League;
B. Team Name;
C. Primary Team Contact (name, address, phone numbers, e-mail, fax, etc.);
D. Secondary Team Contact (name, address, phone numbers, e-mail, fax, etc.);
E. Team uniform colors (both home & away) of jerseys, shorts & socks);
F. Indicate the competition type - State Cup, Over 30 Cup, or Over 40 Cup - $150 entry fee. Make checks payable to "Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association, Inc." and include the team name and competition entered in the "Memo" portion of the check; and
G. Signature of team captain / manager acknowledging priority of State Cup matches over all local league matches.

A. Requirements. Each team must submit a player pool - full name, MDCVSA Player Pass ID No. and Date of Birth - of not more than 22 players by Monday, April 25 2005 at 5:00 p.m. These players must be properly registered with the MDCVSA for the 2004-2005 seasonal year (9/1/04 - 8/31/05). The MDCVSA Registrar is the final authority on each player's eligibility. Once this player pool is submitted, it is final for the duration of the competition. Teams are encouraged to include more than one goalkeeper on the squad and to submit a full roster of 22 players to guard against players lost due to an injury or due to a player's unavailability for a scheduled match. Rosters (i.e., player pool) must be sent by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2005 (as evidenced by a postmark or timestamp) as follows:


1. By first class mail to:
Mrs. Anita Hood
MDCVSA State Cups
8114 Cooper Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22309-1008

2. By e-mail to: statecup@mdcvsa.org

3. By e-mail to the MDCVSA Registrar: sloane@mdcvsa.org


B. Roster Posting/Distribution. For the preliminary rounds, the official match rosters will be posted on the MDCVSA web site at http://mdcvsa.org/roster. For the semi-final and final matches at Bryan Park, the Referee Site Coordinator will be in possession of all official rosters and will be responsible for distributing the rosters to the referees before each match.

C. Referee Match Report & Reporting Responsibilities. For preliminary rounds, the referees are responsible for reporting the scores, cautions and send offs to the State Cup Commissioner by e-mail (statecup@mdcvsa.org) within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match and by mailing the rosters back to the State Cup Commissioner the next business day. Referees must list a home and business telephone number on the actual match report and in all e-mail correspondence. Referees must note on the match report the type of misconduct for which any card was displayed (see Disciplinary Sanctions, Section VII, Parts A-B) so that the State Cup Commissioner can keep track of accumulated points. Referees should keep a copy of the rosters for 30 days following the match.

D. Photo ID Required (Over 30/40). All Over 30 Cup & Over 40 Cup players must have a photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military identification to prove their age. It is the opposing captain's right to check the age of the opposing team's players before or after the match. The minimum penalty for using an ineligible player is a forfeit of the match and any deposit.

A. Players wishing to participate in the State Championships must be properly registered with the MDCVSA Registrar as of Friday, April 22, 2005. All corresponding Organizational Member League, registration data, and player fees must have already been submitted to the MDCVSA.

B. Players must present a Valid Pass from a MDCVSA member Organizational Member League that is in good standing.

C. Players are eligible for only one team, and only one competition. Players may not compete in each of the State Cup, Over 30 Cup, & Over 40 Cups, nor may they transfer to another team after the competition has begun.

D. "Valid Pass" is defined as an official, laminated MDCVSA Player Pass that is validated (by a league or the MDCVSA Registrar) for the current ('04-'05) year. No homemade passes or drivers licenses will be accepted. Information on MDCVSA Player Passes is posted here: http://www.mdcvsa.org/pass.pdf.

E. Age Requirements
1. State Cup: all properly registered MDCVSA teams may play in the competitions. It is open to any existing MDCVSA team (not all-star teams) whose Organizational Member League is in good standing with the MDCVSA and the team, with all players, is registered with the Organizational Member League. Guest players are not allowed.

2. Over 30 Cup: also called the Challenge Cup, it is designed for the "over 30" player. For the purposes of this competition, a player is considered "over 30" is if he/she achieves his/her thirtieth (30th) birthday in year 2005 (i.e. is born on or before December 31, 1975). In addition, to keep from breaking up legitimate teams, two players on the roster may be "over 25" (i.e. is born on or before December 31, 1980). All teams must be from Organizational Member Leagues that are in good standing with the MDCVSA.

3. Over 40 Cup: also called the Veterans Cup, it is designed for the "over 40" player. For the purposes of this competition, a player is considered "over 40" is if he/she achieves his/her fortieth (40th) birthday in year 2005 (i.e. is born on or before December 31, 1965. In addition, to keep from breaking up legitimate teams, two players on the roster may be "over 35" (i.e. is born on or before December 31, 1970). All teams must be from Organizational Member Leagues that are in good standing with the MDCVSA.

A. Each match will consist of two 45-minute halves.

B. Depending upon weather conditions, the referee's discretion, and the agreement of both team captains, a short water break may be given midway through the half.

C. Ties will be settled in the following manner:
1. Two 15-minute overtime periods (no golden goal).
2. Kicks from the Penalty Mark.


D. Teams must be fully dressed and have their passes checked TEN MINUTES before the start of each match. Teams not in compliance are subject to a fine of not less than $50. The referee may require that players that are not available for check-in ten minutes prior to the match may not enter the match until a pass check has been conducted, either during a stoppage in play or at halftime. In determining how quickly to allow late arriving players to enter, consideration may be given to visiting teams that have traveled and to the goal of allowing teams to play with a full team. Bottom line: players need to be available at check-in or they risk losing playing time and the team may have to play short for some period of time.

E. There will be unlimited substitutions for the purposes of the 2005 MDCVSA State, Over 30, & Over 40 Cups. This means that all 22 players on the roster may play each match and a player may re-enter the field after coming off. Teams may substitute players: when in possession on a throw-in; for an injured player when play is stopped for the injury; on any goal kick; after any goal is scored; at half time; or between overtimes (if applicable).

F. Matches will start at the scheduled time. There is a 15-minute grace period beyond the scheduled starting time for a team to get the minimum number of seven (7) players on the field for the start of the match. One each team has at least seven (7) players dressed and ready to play, the match will begin. If a team fails to appear or has less than seven (7) players and the opposing team has seven (7) or more players ready to play, the latter team will be awarded the game by forfeit. The forfeiting team is responsible for paying all officiating fees.

G. If a match is not completed for any reason, it must be replayed in its entirety. Exception 1: If at least 75 minutes of a match has been played, a team is leading by more than one goal, and the match is postponed due to inclement weather conditions, in that case the result of the match will stand. Exception 2: If the State Cup Commissioner can clearly trace the cause or non-completion of the match to the misconduct of one of the competing teams or other similar circumstances, in that event, the State Cup Commissioner, with the consent of the Executive Committee, has the authority to decide the disposition of the match.

H. Other than these exceptions, all FIFA Laws of the Game apply.

I. State Cup, Over 30 Cup & Over 40 Cup matches take precedence over individual league games. If teams are not willing or able to interrupt their league schedules to play in the MDCVSA State Cup, Over 30 Cup, & Over 40 Cups, they are encouraged not to enter.

J. Protests are strongly discouraged. Any intent to protest a game must be given to the referee and the MDCVSA field delegate (if present) in writing prior to their departure from the field. The referee or field delegate shall immediately notify the opposing team and must also state so in their match report. No protest will be considered unless it has been delivered to the State Cup Commissioner in writing (by e-mail to statecup@mdcvsa.org or by hand-delivery) not later than 10:00 p.m. of the day following the match. A fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100) must accompany a written protest, which fee will be forfeited if the protest is not upheld. A duplicate copy of the protest must also be sent to the opposing team captain by e-mail. The MDCVSA Executive Committee will decide all protests in consultation with the State Cup Commissioner.

A. Yellow Card (Caution) Offenses
1. Unsporting Behavior: two points.
2. Dissent by word of conduct: two points.
3. Persistent Infringement, Delay of Restart of Game, Fails to Respect Required Distance, Entering/Leaving Without Permission: two points.
4. Retaliation (a species of USB) - defined as tackling, charging, or making contact with an opponent with little or no intention of playing the ball in a manner consistent with the rules of the game: three points.


B. Red Card (Send off) Offenses
1. Uses Offensive or Insulting or Abusive Language and/or gestures: five points.
2. Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity: five points.
3. Serious Foul Play: eight points.
4. Spitting at an opponent or any other person: eight points.
5. Violent Conduct: fifteen points.
6. Receipt of a Second Caution: points added according to the type of caution given.


These Classifications are illustrative only and are not meant to be an exclusive list of the types of misconduct that can occur (and/or be punished) during a match.

C. Team Responsibility to Control Behavior. A team is responsible for the behavior of its coaches, managers, players and fans. Failure of the team to control any of these persons may result in severe fines for the team and disqualification from the competition.

D. Appeal of Disciplinary Decision. Any team wishing to appeal the actions taken by the Disciplinary Committee of the MDCVSA must do so within 72 hours after official notification is sent (by e-mail or otherwise). An appeal must be sent by e-mail to: statecup@mdcvsa.org and to jim@mdcvsa.org. There is $100.00 appeal fee. Checks should be made payable to "Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association, Inc." If the appeal is upheld the fee is returned. The fact that an appeal is pending will not stay the imposition of any disciplinary sanction. After 72 hours the decision of the Disciplinary Committee becomes final.

E. For further disciplinary penalties, see the Fine Code (Section F).

F. Fine Code. The Fine Code for the 2005 MDCVSA State Cup, Over 30 Cup, & Over 40 Cup for accumulated points is as follows:
1. Five Points: a one-match suspension.
2. Ten Points
a. If accumulated over the course of the competition (i.e., during more than one match), an additional one-match suspension is imposed for the match immediately following the one in which the player reaches the ten-point plateau. However, if the five-point and ten-point plateaus are reached in the same match, an automatic two-match suspension is imposed (e.g., a player coming into a match with four points, and committing an eight-point foul).
b. If accumulated in one match, an automatic two-match suspension is imposed.


3. Fifteen Points or more: minimum two-match suspension; additional length of suspension to be decided by the MDCVSA Executive Committee.


G. Serving Suspensions. The suspended player shall serve the suspension at the next scheduled State Cup match (or matches) in the competition, if the team is still eligible to play in that competition. If the team is not still eligible to play in the competition, the suspension will be served at the next State Cup competition that the player is scheduled to play in. If the player has no remaining State Cup match during the year, the suspension will be served at the following year's State Cup.

H. Field Delegate. The MDCVSA Executive Committee will make a reasonable effort to have a field delegate present at a match. In the absence of a delegate, the referee shall represent the MDCVSA as field delegate at a match.

I. Improper Interference Prohibited. Any player, coach, manager or individual with an interest in a club in competition who attempts to deter, coerce, or influence the field delegate, State Cup Commissioner, or match officials in the performance of their duties will result in a fine imposed on the team(s) and/or disqualification from the competition. The field delegate or other official involved must make a written report of the incident.

J. Sanctions Not Exclusive. The MDCVSA Executive Committee reserves the authority to impose further sanctions as necessary to uphold the integrity of the State Cups and the game.

A. Supply field. Minimum field dimensions are 105 yards by 64 yards. Field must be properly lined, the goals must have nets, and the four corners marked by proper corner flags. Field costs are to be paid by the home team. Failure to provide the goal nets, corner flags or suitable field markings prior to the start of the match will result in a $50.00 fine against the responsible team. The fine must be paid before any subsequent cup match.

B. Supply USSF affiliated referees. The home team is responsible for using a USSF certified assignor to assign the referee crew. Both the home and visiting team are responsible for bringing their share (50%) of the referee fees to the match. When feasible, the home team should disclose the costs of the referee crew to the visiting team and the State Cup Commissioner at least 48 hours prior to the match. Failure by either team to pay its share of the referee fees prior to the start of the match will result in a forfeit.

C. Supply alternate uniforms. A team's uniforms must be the same in style and color for each member of the team, excluding the goalkeepers. The color of the goalkeeper's jersey should be different in color than both competing teams' jerseys. Where the uniforms or parts of the uniforms of the two competing teams are so similar as to create possible player identification problems on the field, as determined by the referee, the home team must change their uniform, unless the visiting team is wearing a color other than the color that it designated on its entry form as an away jersey, in which case the visiting team must change. Clearly visible, permanent numerals must be worn on the back of the players' jerseys (including the goalkeeper). Each player on a team must wear a different number. Each team is encouraged (particularly the home team) to bring to every scheduled match both a home set and away set of jerseys of different colors.

D. Supply at least three properly inflated match balls to the referee ten minutes prior to kickoff.

E. Report the final score. It should be e-mailed immediately (within 24 hours) to statecup@mdcvsa.org.

A. Fairness/Professionalism: The State Cup competitions are designed to encourage participation among competing teams from varying regions within the MDCVSA. Each team captain is an ambassador for the sport and for his/her team. Team captains are therefore expected to at all times conduct themselves with integrity and in a professional, responsible manner when dealing with anyone on any matter related to the State Cup competitions. A home team receives a significant advantage and should, to the fairest extent possible, seek to minimize travel burdens on a visiting team and be accommodating to legitimate scheduling requests. The State Cup Commissioner is a volunteer and is not designed to be a babysitter for team captains that cannot resolve their disputes.

B. Internet and E-mail Access Critical: Because the internet and the use of e-mail will be used as primary means of communication, a team's primary and secondary contact must be computer literate, have 24/7 access to e-mail and the internet, and own a mobile telephone. Teams captains should also be constantly checking e-mail and the MDCVSA web site for updates.

C. Travel: Because it is expected that teams will enter the competitions from various locations (from Virginia Beach, Richmond, Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, D.C. and elsewhere), teams that enter the competitions should (and must) be prepared to travel to those locations on very short notice.