Copa Rules

The Summer Copas (Gold and Silver Copas) are managed by staff from the APL, SSL (MSSL/VSSL), and DCPL. Copa staff reserve the right to excuse any player from the league who engages in violent conduct or persistently verbally abuses referees or other players. Fair play is essential to conducting an enjoyable event for all teams.

Section I: Tournament Policies and Guidelines

A.  “Summer Copas” Tournament Classification

• “Gold Copa” for teams who qualified for playoff participation in their respective Division 1 affiliated league 

• “Silver Copa” for admitted teams from participating leagues

B. Individual and Team Registration

• Player age: All players must be 18 years of age or older with one exception. Each team is entitled to carry no more than 3 underage development players. These players must be formally registered as such with league officials so that proper waivers, etc., can be completed in advance of matches.

• Roster management and payment: Roster management and payment will happen through the respective affiliated leagues (APL, SSL, and DCPL).

C. Rosters

• Size: Teams may carry up to 30 players on their roster at any given time with only 18 players eligible to “dress” on any particular game day. This means that no more than 18 players and 3 coaches may be on the sideline at a particular match.

• Matchday rosters: Matchday rosters will be handwritten by team representatives and submitted to the officiating crew prior to the match (late arrivals should be included and pre-assigned a jersey).

  • First and last name

  • Jersey number

• Player identification: Players must present a photo ID (or a picture of a photo ID) to match officials prior to the match to corroborate the roster.

• Player exclusivity: Only Registered Copa players are allowed to play on a given team. If a player signs up for a team, they are tied to that team for the remainder of the tournament. They may not play on a different team at any stage of the event (group or knockout). Teams who utilize a previously registered player will be subject to forfeit the match.

• Non-players on sidelines: Only rostered players or staff will be allowed on sidelines with teams. Teams may roster up to 3 non-players, so that they can be on sidelines during games. They will not count against your roster max of 30. Non-players can only be placed on team rosters by league administrators.

• Team captains' responsibility: Team captains are responsible for presenting a paper roster - in the exact format provided by league managers - to referees before each game. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture.

• Roster verification by officials: Game officials will cross-check rosters with government-issued IDs before all games.

• Eligibility to play: Players who do not appear on their team's roster or do not provide ID will not be eligible to play.

• Players playing in the “Gold Copa” are eligible to play on a “Silver Copa” team (and vice-a-versa).

D. Substitutions

• Teams may make an unlimited number of substitutions throughout the match

• Players should move to midfield and give visual notification to the linesmen/ center official that they are ready to come on

• Substitutions may be made at any stoppage, AT THE REFEREES DISCRETION

• Referees may refuse substitutions in the interest of preserving the game flow.  If a team is using substitutions to unreasonably slow the match pace, the referee may restrict substitution instances

D. Equipment

• Shin guards: Shin guards totally covered by socks are mandatory and are an absolute requirement for all players.

• Footwear: Only soccer/athletic shoes are acceptable. No street shoes or metal cleats. Referee decisions on footwear suitability are final.

• Special equipment: Players are allowed to participate while wearing the following items: casts, braces, and unremovable jewelry (e.g., plug earrings). These items must be padded and/or completely covered by tape.

• Game balls and first aid: Each team shall be responsible for providing at least one suitable game ball. First Aid - It is recommended that team captains bring First Aid materials (tape, ice packs, etc) to games, in case of injury referees are not licensed to provide First Aid.

• Responsibility for personal items: League organizers are not responsible for any items lost or stolen during games or at field sites.

E. Uniforms

• Numbered, matching colored jerseys: All players must be wearing uniquely numbered, matching colored jerseys.

• Jersey numbers: Numbers must be printed on jerseys. Fashioning of numbers with tape is not permitted and a player wearing such a jersey will not be permitted to play.

• Away team responsibility: In instances where two teams wear the same color, it is the responsibility of the away team (second team listed on the schedule) to provide an alternate shirt.

• Two sets of jerseys: All teams are expected to have two sets of jerseys for use.

F. Schedule

• Participation and field locations: 16 teams will participate in each tournament broken into 4, four-team groups. Games will be played on fields in Virginia, Maryland, and DC.

• Forecasted Schedule:

Group Stage-  July 13 (Round 1), July 20 (Round 2), July 27 (Round 3)

Knockout Stage-  August 3 (QFinals), August 10 (SFinals), August 17 (Finals)

**Teams competing in USASA or UPSL Nation Cup Competition will be allowed to reschedule conflicting group stage matches with the cooperation of tournament organizers and opponents to facilitate Fair Play.

• Schedule adjustments: Adjustments to the schedule are not final until approved by tournament administrators. Teams may not reschedule their own games.

• Changes in field locations and times: Tournament administrators reserve the right to change field locations and times during the course of the event, as needed. Every attempt will be made to give as much advance notice as possible to affected teams.

G. Weather Related Closings

• Field Closings: Games played on turf fields will go on even in the event of rain. Games are only canceled due to severe weather. This is done out of concern for player safety.

• Communication of cancellations: In the event of cancellations, Copa staff will contact all registered players via email and text message as quickly as possible.

• Suspended Games: If, due to weather conditions, safety conditions, or referee discretion a game is halted prior to halftime, it will be replayed - field availability permitting. A game halted at halftime or later can stand as indicated by the score when the game was halted.

• Minimum game time for finals: A “Final” must have min. 75 minutes played. If a final is delayed prior to 75 min. played, league, tournament staff will coordinate the makeup based on available venues.

• Rescheduled Games: If a game is canceled or halted for any reason, the league will reschedule if possible. In the event that more than two (2) games are canceled in a season, tournament staff reserves the right not to reschedule games and will offer the best possible tournament format.

H. Tournament Standings

• Recording and posting: Game results will be recorded and posted on the Copa web page. Teams are encouraged to review standing pages periodically. The Team Captains should notify the League Administrator of any errors.

• Handling of canceled games: A 3-3 draw will be posted for games canceled and not rescheduled at the end of the regular season.

• Forfeiture penalties: A 3-0 loss will be posted for a team that forfeits a game.

• Participating teams are expected to participate in each scheduled match.

  1. a) Forfeitures could result in denial of participation in future tournaments.

  2. b) Forfeitures within 24 hours of kickoff may be subject to a fine (covering full ref fees)

  3. c) Teams failing to finish the duration of a group stage match may be subject to covering the total ref fees for that match.

• Teams failing to finish the duration of a groupstage match are subject to covering the total ref fees for that match

• Tie-breakers: Tie-breakers are set and calculated automatically on our standings page. The first tie-breaker is Goal Differential, followed by Head to Head and then Goals For. Should teams remain tied after the above ties breakers are considered, standing will be determined via coin flip.

I. Playoff Qualification/Rules

• Payment requirements: Teams who are not fully paid will not be eligible to participate in playoff rounds.

• Qualification:

  1. Gold Copa - The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for playoff rounds.

  2. Silver Copa -  The top 2 teams from each group and the best 2 third place teams will qualify for the playoff rounds.

• Exact playoff rules: Exact playoff rules will be circulated to team captains prior to the start of

J. Suspensions

• 1 game suspension for all red cards (violent conduct, abusive conduct, or hate speech is subject to a longer suspension pending admin review)

• 3 yellow cards results in a suspension of 1 match in either the group stages or knockout round

• Cards reset at the end of knockout play