Tournament Rules at the Midwest Youth Cup
Full rule set for the 2027 Midwest Youth Cup. Match format, eligibility, substitutions, scoring, tiebreakers, equipment, weather policy, conduct, protests, and refunds.
Tournament Rules at the Midwest Youth Cup
The Midwest Youth Cup is played under the FIFA Laws of the Game as modified by USSSA Soccer and the tournament rules below. Every coach should know the items most often asked about during a tournament weekend.
Match format
| Age group | Side | Match length | Knockout ties | |---|---|---|---| | U8 | 5v5 or 7v7 | 2 x 20 or 2 x 25 min | Golden-goal OT, then kicks | | U9 to U10 | 7v7 | 2 x 25 min | Golden-goal OT, then kicks | | U11 to U12 | 9v9 | 2 x 30 min | Golden-goal OT, then kicks | | U13 to U15 | 11v11 | 2 x 30 min | Golden-goal OT, then kicks |
Halftime is 5 minutes at every age group, with a running clock kept by the referee. There is no overtime in group play. Knockout ties are decided by two 5 minute golden-goal overtime periods, then penalty kicks if still level.
Scoring in pool play
- Win: 3 points
- Tie: 1 point
- Loss: 0 points
- Forfeit: 3 points to the team that appeared, recorded as 2-0
Tiebreakers (in order)
- Head-to-head
- Goals allowed
- Goal differential (capped at plus four per game)
- Goals scored (capped at plus four per game)
- Penalty kicks
Substitutions
Substitutions are unlimited at every age group, and a substituted player may re-enter. U8 through U12 substitute on the fly. U13 through U15 substitute at standard restart moments with the referee's acknowledgement.
Heading
Heading follows U.S. Soccer Federation guidelines. Players may not deliberately head the ball at U8 through U10, and a deliberate header at those ages results in an indirect free kick. Heading is permitted at U11 and older.
Roster and eligibility
- Players must appear on the roster uploaded through GotSport by March 12, 2027.
- A maximum of four guest players per team, each properly rostered.
- All players must have a valid player pass, available at every match.
- A player may not play on multiple teams unless the tournament director approves it.
- Rosters are final after check-in.
Equipment
Shin guards are required. No metal cleats, no jewelry (including tape over earrings), and no hard casts. Teams wear matching numbered jerseys with a different number for every player. Ball size is 4 for U8 through U12 and 5 for U13 through U15.
Pages in this section
- Match format and timing by age group
- Player eligibility and birth-year windows
- Substitution rules by age group
- Scoring, points, and tiebreakers
- Equipment and uniform rules
- Weather policy and lightning stoppages
- Conduct, ejections, and protest procedure
- Refund policy and cancellations
Director's discretion
Final authority on all rulings rests with the tournament director. The tournament director may modify brackets, schedules, or rule application as needed to keep the event safe and competitive. All such decisions are communicated through GotSport.