MSSA CUP POLICY
WITH REGARD TO SCHEDULING REQUEST

Some of you have contacted us about scheduling requests of cup games. We are on a tight schedule as we are juggling 5 different competitions and have no certainty when it comes to the weather. This leaves us very little flexibility with scheduling requests, especially in the early part when we have the rounds of 16 and quarterfinals to play.

In the past, Fran and I have tried to work around these requests but there are no guarantees. And as these are cup matches, we expect each team and their players to prioritize their commitment to the playing of these games. Other than USSF Regional or MSYSA State Cup games, we are not able to schedule around individual requests to postpone games due to other soccer events (indoor, futsal or other tournaments) or non-soccer related events such as vacations, birthdays, weddings or parties associated with religious sacraments. With a 22-player roster, everyone should be able to field a team. In case you are not able to do so for a particular, please let Fran or I know so that we can cancel the match, notify the opposing team and referees. If you give us timely notice by Saturday evening, your team will still forfeit the match but not be charged the performance bond. On the other hand, if your team does not show up to the field, you will forfeit your performance bond and not be eligible to continue in any other cups until the bond is replenished. You may still send us schedule requests and we will take them into consideration. But there are no guarantees.

All games will be played on Sundays, usually starting at 11:00 or 1:00. There may be occasions where the start time may differ because of field availability. Below is a projected schedule of how the rounds will be played. A lot depends on the cooperation of the weather. Keep in mind that we need to determine winners of the national competitions by the end of April, so if there are weather delays then the Rowland and Stewart Cups may be pushed back. 

As always, Fran and I will attempt to make the competitions run as smoothly as possible. If there are any questions, please contact us.


Tony Falcone
Fran McGrath
Cup Commissioners

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