US Youth Soccer National Championships Website
Policy on US Youth Soccer National Championships (PDF)
Region II Regional Championship Website
Midwest Regional Cup Rules

KANSAS STATE CUP RULES AND REGULATIONS

KSYSA follows US Youth Soccer National Cup and Midwest Regional (Region II) Cup playing rules in all regards for State Cup.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a year-long tournament, which features competition for boys and girls teams in age groups Under-12 through Under-19. It begins with teams in all 55 state associations vying for the US Youth Soccer State Championship titles. State Cup champions in most age groups are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, and regional champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

SCORES AND STANDINGS (PDF)

SCORING METHOD

The standings of teams within brackets are based upon the number of points earned in qualifying games.  Teams earn points as follows:

                        -           Three (3) points for a win (including forfeits)
                        -           One (1) point for a tie, and
                        -           No (0) points for a loss.

TIE BREAKERS

In the event teams are tied on the basis of points earned, the team’s placement will be determined in accordance with the following sequential criteria:

1. Winner of head to head competition (this criteria not used if more than two teams tied).
2. Winner of most games.
3. Goal spread (goals scored minus goals against) with a maximum of four goals per game.
4. Fewest goals allowed.
5. Kicks from the penalty mark

Note:  If more than two teams are tied, the sequence will be followed until a team is eliminated.  The remaining teams will then restart the sequence at point "b" above until the tie is broken. 

Wildcard Team Selection   For brackets requiring a wildcard for semi-final play, team placement will be determined in accordance with the following sequential criteria:

1. Teams with most points.
2. Winner of head to head competition (this criteria not used if more than two teams tied).
3. Winner of most games.
4. Goal spread (goals scored minus goals against) with a maximum of four goals per game.
5. Fewest goals allowed.
6. Kicks from the penalty mark

Note:  If more than two teams are tied, the sequence will be followed until a team is eliminated.  The remaining teams will then restart the sequence at point "c" above until the tie is broken.

Penalty Kicks   If taking of kicks from the penalty mark (as defined in the FIFA Laws of the Game) must be used to determine a winner in the group winner ___*, semi-final, or final round games, the format shall be as follows:

1. Each team shall select five players to kick - Only players on the field at the conclusion of the match may be selected to kick.
2. Teams shall alternate kicks - First team to kick shall be determined by referee coin toss.
3. If, before both teams have taken five kicks, one team has scored more goals than the other team could, even if it were to complete five kicks, the taking of kicks shall cease.
4. If, after both teams have taken five kicks, both have scored the same number of goals or have not scored any goals, the taking of kicks shall continue, in the same order, until such time as both teams have taken an equal number of kicks (not necessarily five more kicks) and one team has scored a goal more than the other.

* If taking of kicks from the penalty mark must be used to determine bracket or wildcard winners, the coach of each team shall declare the 11 players from their roster that they will use to take their kicks.  If a player has been disqualified for the team's next match as a result of a red card, that player may not participate in the kicks.

*If FIFA Penalty Kicks are to be taken by three (3) teams, there will be a draw b y the RTC.  The 1st team drawn will receive the bye; the next team drawn will be the home team against the remaining team in the first contest of penalty kicks.  The winner of the first contest will then compete against the bye team in penalty kicks to determine the winner.  The bye team in the second contest of penalty kicks will be the home team.  This process is only used when three (3) teams remain tied after going through the Tie Breakers.

If FIFA Penalty Kicks are to be taken by four (4) teams there will be a draw by the RTC.  The 1st team drawn will compete against the 2nd team drawn in the first contest of penalty kicks.  The 1st team drawn will be the home team in this contest of penalty kicks.  The 3rd team drawn will compete against the 4th team drawn in the second contest of penalty kicks.  The 3rd team drawn will be the home team in this contest of penalty kicks.  The winners of each of these two (2) contests will then compete to determine the winner.  The winner of the 1st/2nd drawn teams will be the home team in this final contest.  This process is only used when four (4) teams remain tied after going through the Tie Breakers.

KSYSA has the additional State Cup Policies:

Entry Fee & Performance Bond:

1. The State Cup fee and performance bond fee will be established by the KSYSA Board of Directors and must be paid to KSYSA no later than the deadline established for entry.
   
2. Entry form, fee, and performance bond must be RECEIVED in the KSYSA office no later than the established date and time for entry. If you are going to mail your entry, we recommend that you send it registered with return receipt. This deadline is firm and no exceptions will be made.
   
3. A performance bond (in addition to the entry fee) will be required for participation in the tournament. This amount will be required in the form of a check, money order or cashier's check. In the event that your team fulfills its requirement of competing in the competition and plays all of its scheduled games, including semi-finals, finals and Regional and/or National games if applicable, and met all the eligibility requirements, this amount will be refunded to the team within thirty (30) days (NOTE: personal checks will be destroyed at the completion of the tournament).