Carolina State Cup
League Championship
2024 Rules and Regulations
Section 1: Competition Rules
Playing Rules
All State Cup & League Championship games shall be played according to the rules and regulations recognized
by Carolina Champions League with the following exception:
Carolina State Cup - All Players must be born on or after their Age group designation ( e.g a player born in 2006 may play in the 2005 or 2006 age group ).
League Championship - Per CCLNC rules a maximum of 3 age up players may be used.
Eligibility
All teams participating must hold current US Club Soccer pass cards for all players and staff at
the time of the event to participate in the event.
Championship Placements
All Divisions are ROUND ROBIN with Standings after all games to determine Champions & Runner Up.
Point System
The Divisions shall operate under a point system. The point system shall award three
points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss.
Tie Breakers
In case of a tie-on points in the standings the following will be used as tiebreakers:
1. “Head to Head” between teams
2. Overall Goal Differential (Max 5 Per Game)
3. Goals for (Max 5 Per Game)
4. Goals against
5. Most Shutouts
6. Fewest Red Cards
7. Penalty Shootout
If more than two teams are tied, the tie-breaking process will be used until a winner is
determined. The tie-breaking procedure does not revert to previous criteria if one team is
eliminated.
In a situation where a group cannot be completed due to exceptional circumstances, and teams
have played an unequal number of games, we may use Points Per Game (PPG) to decide group
standings.
No Re-Entry Protocol (Head Injury)
In accordance with the US Soccer return to play guidelines, any player removed from the field
for a suspected head injury will not be allowed to return to the field of play unless cleared by a
Healthcare Professional.
Healthcare Professional
A healthcare professional is defined as “a licensed healthcare professional such as an athletic
trainer certified (ATC), or a physician (MD/DO), with a skill set in emergency care and sports
medicine injuries and with knowledge and experience related to concussion evaluation and
management.”
Substitutions
Substitutions by either team are allowed at any stoppage of play with the permission of the
referee. Referees will be instructed not to allow substitutions that are deemed “excessive” or of
a “time-wasting” nature. Please be respectful of the integrity of the game and do not use the free
substitution rules as a means to disrupt the match.
Matches Needing a Winner
Incomplete games
In the event that a game cannot be completed, the game counts if half or more of the game was
played; provided, however, that any team directly responsible for the termination of the game
due to poor sportsmanship towards a referee, opposing fans, or opposing players will result in
that team forfeiting the match. This could also lead to other possible penalties set by the
Event. If there is no result, and the match is suspended prior to the expiration of
one half, the game shall be repeated at a time agreed upon by the competing teams in
consultation with the Event leadership.
No-Shows/forfeits:
A no-show occurs when a team willfully does not show up at a game. Penalties for no-shows
are as follows:
$500 fine
A “no show” will result in a 3-0 loss for the team that does not show.
A team unable to attend a scheduled game because of an accident,
weather or “Act of God” should immediately notify the opponent and the Tournament Coordinator.
Each situation will be reviewed by the League.
Rosters
Player Registration
All players shall be registered according to US Club Soccer & Carolina Champions League rules.
League Championship Official Team Roster
Rosters will be capped at 19 players and teams may only use players off this roster
with 18 allowed to dress per game.
Game Roster
Only players who are listed on the official Team Roster will be eligible to play in the matches.
US Club Soccer Player Pass
All players and coaches must present their US Club Player Identification Card to the referee
prior to the match. If the individual picture is not on the ID card and the card is not laminated,
the individual will not be eligible for the match.
Illegal Players
Any player who does not appear on the official Team Roster
and who has not been issued a valid US Club Soccer player pass issued by the same club shall be
considered an illegal player. Any team using, or attempting to use, an illegal player shall forfeit
the game, the coach of the team using the illegal player will be suspended from Carolina
Champions League and all of its events for one year, and the club of the illegal player will incur a $500 fine.
“Cup Tied”
Players may only compete for one team per age group in the State Cup event. A player may represent more than 1 team in the League Championship event. Once a player
plays for a State Cup team in a specific age group that player is “Cup Tied” to that team in that age group.
The player may not play for any other team in that age group for the remainder of the weekend.
Game Day Procedures
Provide referee with current year US Club Soccer player passes and official roster/loan form for each player and coach
Have a hard copy of the official US Club roster/loan form if needed by the center
referee.
Each manager should have the following at every game
US Club Medical Release forms
US Club Soccer roster/loan form of the team and players.
US Club Soccer passes for its players and team officials
Personnel on the bench
A maximum of 3 team officials are allowed in each team’s technical area. Team officials must
have a US Club pass on a lanyard around their neck in order to sit in the technical area.
It is recommended that teams have several credentialed coaches or managers with passes for the team just in case something happens to the head coach. A US Club pass makes a person eligible to coach any team in the club for which that coach or manager is credentialed.
Jersey Conflict
Home Team: Dark Jersey
Away Team: Light Jersey
In the event of a conflict the HOME TEAM will be required to change.
Game Length
All Games 13U - 16U - 35 minute halfs.
All Games 17U-19U - 40 minute halfs.