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 six (6) 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

  6. Maryland Over-30 Cup - Over-30 Championship

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 through one of its member leagues and its players properly registered with MSSA in order to be eligible to participate in the cups. Clubs affiliated with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association are eligible to enter MSSA competitions as long as they receive the proper permission to play from MSYSA. 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.     Teams may have a maximum of 30 players in their player pool. Players may be added to the pool list throughout the qualifiers. Once a team reaches 30 players on its roster, no new players may be added.

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

7.     Match Day Rosters & Substitutions - On match days, clubs are permitted a roster of up to eighteen (18) players. All 18 are eligible to play in the match. For National Cup qualifiers, the rules of the competitions dictate substitutions for those matches. For MSSA competitions, 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.
  4. By either team at half-time.
  5. For an injured player, when play is stopped for the injury.
  6. When a yellow card is given for the player given the yellow card.  The substitution is not mandatory.
  7. In any situation above where players are at midfield awaiting to come onto play as a substitute, those players may come on as substitutes.

8.   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.  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.

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

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

11.   The duration of the match shall be 90 minutes, made up of two 45-minute halves. For MSSA competitions, if tied after regulation time, there will be no overtime and the match shall be determined by kicks from the penalty mark as prescribed by FIFA.

12   The match shall be officiated by a referee and two linesmen.  All fees must be paid prior to the start of the match, divided evenly among the two teams.

13.   Any intent to protest a match 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 match report.  No protest will be considered unless it has been delivered in writing by mail, email or in person to the MSSA cup commissioner no later than 9:00 PM of the second day following the match.  A fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) must accompany the protest.

14.  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 cautions (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.

15.   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 match 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.

16.   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.

17.   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.

18.   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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