Tournament Rules

The Mission Viejo Cup tournament committee would like to take this opportunity to welcome players, coaches, referees, parents, and friends to our tournament. In the next few paragraphs, we would like to explain to each of you the special information and rules of our tournament.

June 29th - June 30th

This Premier Class and Class III, rec is open to all boys' and girls' teams under 2005/6-2018 from CYSA-5, USSSA, US Club Soccer and USYSA National Affiliates. The application deadline is June 12th 2024. Qualifying applications will be accepted on a first come first-serve basis and teams will be notified by email on their status. The tournament will run using age brackets for the 2023/24 season however player cards from both the 2023/24 and 24/25 season will be accepted for teams.  The Tournament Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application. All decisions are final.

• 2008-2005/6- Maximum of twenty-two (22) players, eighteen (18) suited up. A maximum of six (6) loan players is allowed.

• 2011-2009 - Maximum of eighteen (18) players, all suited up. A maximum of four {4) loan players is allowed.

• 2015-2012- Maximum of thirteen (13) players, all suited up. A maximum of two {2) loan players is allowed.

• 2018-2016 - Maximum of eleven (11) players, all suited up. A maximum of two {2) loan players is allowed.

• All players must have a valid laminated Player Card from their state or national association. A player application (medical waiver form) is also required. Any player without both of these documents will not be allowed to play. 

• You may use valid 2023/24 player cards or 2024/25 player cards, but no mixing.

• Please check-in 60 minutes before your first game at the field marshal tent at the assigned field

• All player application forms, and valid player ID cards will be verified at check-in. We will print and hand out game cards with rosters that are entered two days prior to the tournament start and verify information at this time. 

• You can add players by writing them in to your roster before your first game as long as you have the appropriate paperwork

• Teams must be at their assigned fields at least thirty {30) minutes before their scheduled game times for check-in.

• The Team Manager or Coach must check-in at the Field Marshal tent with their player cards that will be validated against the game card roster. 

• At the end of each game manager or coaches need to pick up their cards and sign the game cards at the Field Marshal tent. 

• Referees enter goals scored, and the final score of the match on the match card, please check it before signing the card.

• Referees will also record any misconduct (jersey#, first and last name of players, coach or spectator ejected or cautioned), and return the cards to the Field Marshal. See Misconduct, Red and Yellow Cards section.

• The "No Shin Guard, No Play" rule will be strictly enforced. 

• Some fields are "turf" and have certain rules. Please refer to "fields" on the website. 

• All players must have appropriate jerseys, with unique numbers prominently displayed on the backs. 

• The first team listed on the playing schedules is the designated home team. 

• The teams will sit on one side of the field and the spectators on the opposite side of the field mirroring their respective team. 

• It is the responsibility of each team to monitor their spectator behavior during each game. 

• The Home Team will have the choice of bench. 

• The home team will provide three game balls. 

• The designated away team will have the privilege of calling the coin toss. 

• Home teams should wear their lighter colored uniforms.

• 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.

• Any team that fails to have seven (7) eligible players on the field at the scheduled game time, in appropriate uniform, will forfeit the game. 

• There will be no grace period. 

• The tournament committee will credit a score of 1-to-0 (3 points) to the team that was present, ready to play.

Games will be played according to FIFA Laws of the Game, except as modified by these Tournament Rules of Competition.

Will comply to SCDSL gaming rules regarding heading and build out lines.

Substitutions may only take place during:

• Own throw-in
• Own player has an injury, but only the injured player may be substituted
• Own player cautioned (yellow card) but only the player cautioned may be substituted
• Any goal kick
• Any kick-off
• If opposing team substitutes, you may substitute

No substitutions are permitted on:

• Free kick (direct or indirect)
• Corner kick
• Penalty kick

Substitutions for head injuries are allowed at any time.

• 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. 

• 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 Report" form from the referee for each red card issued. 

• No points will be deducted.

• If the referee terminates the match due to weather, field conditions or misconduct, the Tournament Committee will decide the impact of this termination on the tournament standings.

• It is recognized and understood upon entering the Mission Viejo Classic Tournament, that adverse weather is an Act of God. 

• 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. 

• There will be no rescheduling of games.

No refunds will be provided once a team is accepted to the tournament unless we are unable to fill a bracket to be able to run a meaningful competition for that bracket.

• All referee decisions are final

• All decisions of the tournament director or Mission Viejo Classic Tournament Committee are final

• There will be no protests considered

Points System

• Three (3) points shall be awarded for a win
• One (1) point shall be awarded for each tie
• Zero (0) points shall be awarded for a loss

Tie breaker Information

• Head-to-Head
• Goal Differential
• Goals Sacred
• Goals Against
• Coin Toss (Kicks from the penalty spot in showcase format champion decider see below)

If a team in-group play forfeits, all scores in that group will revert to 1-0 scores. 

Divisions of 4 Teams

• Will play 3 pool games against each of the other teams
• Top 2 teams after pool play will play in the final for the championship

Divisions of 6 Teams

• Teams will be divided into two brackets of 3 teams
• There will be 2 pool games played on the Saturday
• Teams in 1st and 2nd in each bracket will play in the semi-finals, teams in first will play the team in 2nd from the other bracket.
• Winners of the semi-final will play each other in the final to determine the champion
• Teams finishing in 3rd place in pool play will play each other in the consolation game on Sunday

Divisions of 8 Teams

• Teams will be divided into two brackets of 4 teams
• There will be 3 pool games played across Saturday and Sunday
• The top two teams from each bracket will play each other in the final to decide the champion

Division Champions will receive a Championship Trophy and each player will receive a Championship medal.

In the unlikely event that these are not available on the day of the final game these will be mailed to the club the week after the tournament