MSSA Online

Cup Policies

of the

Maryland State Soccer Association

1.     The MSSA conducts its own competitions as well as the Maryland qualifiers of the National Cups.   The MSSA sponsors five (5) Cup Competitions:

  1. Rowland Cup - Open Championship

  2. Stewart Cup - Amateur Championship

  3. Hagan Cup - Women's Championship

  4. Maryland Cup - For league and/or all-star competition

  5. Champions Cup – Champions of MSSA member leagues

2.     The following policy and regulations apply to MSSA competitions with the exception of the Champions Cup, which is played in a tournament format.  The policies and regulations concerning National Cup competitions shall be governed by policies set forth by the USSF and USASA.

3.     All clubs must be affiliated with the MSSA or the MSYSA through one of its member leagues in order to be eligible to participate in the cups.  All players must be properly registered with USASA/USYSA.  Players must present their player passes to the referee in order to be eligible to play.

4.     Players may participate for only one club in each MSSA Cup competition. 

5.     Club rosters consist of a maximum of 22 players that must be submitted 7 days prior to the competition.

6.     A club is permitted only three changes to its roster of 22 players, from the first match until that club reaches the semifinal round of play.  Clubs submitting a roster of less than 22 players may continue to add to that roster until it reaches the limit.  A change consists of one release plus one signing.  Changes are no longer permitted once a club reaches the semifinal round.

7.     All players must be registered at least seven (7) days prior to participation in any match.

8.     On match days, clubs are permitted a roster of up to eighteen (18) players.  All 18 are eligible to play in the match.  Substitutions shall be unlimited in number and players who have been substituted may reenter the match.  Substitutions may be made as follows:

  1. After a goal by either team.
  2. On a goal kick by either team.
  3. On a throw-in by the team in possession.  The team not in possession may substitute if the team in possession is making a substitution.
  4. By either team at half-time.
  5. For an injured player, when play is stopped for the injury. The opposing team may also substitute a player.
  6. When a yellow card is given, but only for that player, at the discretion of the coach (not mandatory).

9.     Goal nets, corner flags and field markings are provided by the home club.  Failure to provide the goal nets, corner flags or suitable field markings prior to the start of the cup competition game shall result in a $50.00 fine for the responsible club.  The Referee or Field Delegate shall record the failures on the match report.  The fine shall be paid before any subsequent cup competition game.

10.   Minimum field dimensions shall be 100 yards by 60 yards.

11.   Matches will start at the scheduled time.  There is a 15-minute grace period (30-minute grace period for teams traveling thirty miles or more) 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.  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 shall claim the game by forfeit.  THE FORFEITING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OFFICIATING FEES.

12.   In cases of conflicting colors, the home club must change jerseys.

13.   All participating teams will prepare the required match report for each game.  Failure to do so will result in a $25.00 fine.

14.   The duration of the game shall be 90 minutes, made up of two 45-minute halves. If tied after regulation time, the game shall be decided by penalty kicks.

15.   The match shall be officiated by a referee and two linesmen.  All fees must be paid prior to the start of the match.

16.   Any intent to protest a game shall be given to the referee and the MSSA field delegate (if present) prior to their departure from the field.  The referee or field delegate shall immediately notify the opposing team and shall also state so in their game report.  No protest will be considered unless it has been delivered or postmarked to the MSSA cup commissioner no later than 11:00 PM of the day following the game.  A fee of fifty dollars ($50) must accompany a written protest; of which shall be forfeited if the protest is not upheld.  A duplicate copy of the protest must also be sent to the opposing team.

17.  Suspensions

A.    If a player is sent off from a match, whether a red card is issued or as the result of two yellow cards in the same match, the player shall be suspended for at least one match.  Players sent off for violent conduct due to fighting or striking another player shall be suspended a minimum of two matches.

B.    If a player receives three yellow cards while participating in the cup competitions (excluding two yellow cards received in the same match resulting in a red card), the player shall be suspended for one match.

C.    The suspended player shall serve the suspension at the next scheduled cup match or matches in the competition the player received the suspension, if the team is still eligible to play in that competition.  If the team is not eligible for that competition, the the suspension shall be served at the next cup competition that the player is scheduled to play.  If the player has no remaining cup matches during the year, the suspension shall be served at the following year’s competition matches.  

D.    The MSSA reserves the authority to impose further sanctions necessary to uphold the integrity of the game.

18.   Any player, coach, manager or individual with an interest in a club in competition who attempts to deter, coerce, or influence the field delegate or game officials in the performance of their duties shall result in a fine imposed on the club or clubs involved and/or disqualification from the competition.  The delegate or officials involved shall make a written report of the incident.

19.   The MSSA will make every effort to have a field delegate present at a match.  In the absence of a delegate, the referee shall represent the MSSA.

20.   Clubs who enter and win the Maryland qualifiers of the National Cup competitions shall represent the MSSA in interstate play during the regional qualifiers for Region 1 of the USASA.  The Regional Cup Commissioner is responsible for the schedule of all interstate play.  The MSSA will provide a host subsidy to its clubs that host a regional match that has officials coming from out-of-state.  The subsidy is for assistance in payment of referee fees.  The subsidy shall be in the amount of $100.  During regional qualifiers, a club shall not receive the subsidy more than twice for any single cup competition.  The maximum subsidy given to a club participating in regional qualifiers shall not exceed $200 for any single cup competition.  If an MSSA club wins the regional qualifiers, it will represent the MSSA and Region 1 in the national finals.  The USASA will provide a travel subsidy to the club.  The MSSA will also provide a travel subsidy of $100 for the national finals.

21.   The playing of these competitions will be governed by the rules of FIFA, USSF and MSSA except as noted above.

Cup Policy in Word Format

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