U10-U14 Commissioner's Cup (Playoffs)
This section is detailed information on our U10-U14 Commissioner's Cup tournament, which also serves as our division playoffs, and determines which team advances to represent Region 114 in the Area playoff tournament. IMPORTANT NOTE: advancement to Area and any subsequent tournaments is at the discretion of the Region Commissioner.
Tournament Format
Each team in the tournament plays a minimum of two games in pool play "qualifying" rounds. A point system is used to determine which teams advance from qualifying rounds to Medal rounds. (See Rules & Regulations for a complete description of points system and point tiebreakers.) Pool play games can end in ties, but Medal Round matches that are tied at the end of regulation proceed to Kicks from the Mark (KFTM).
Medal Round matches (Semi-Finals, Finals) will be held Sunday. Coaches and officials are asked to submit their scores and match reports to Matchtrak immediately upon the completion of their pool games, so that the Medal Round schedule can be built as soon as possible.
Warm-Ups, Check-Ins, and Starting On Time
Due to light constraints, some U12 and U14 teams may play qualifying games Thursday or Friday, but all other teams will play their qualifying games on Saturday. For this reason games will be stacked on top of each other with no field warm-up time. It is critical that teams show up early to be checked-in, and referees begin and end games on time.
Teams should warm-up adjacent to their fields, but not on the field. Once the prior game is complete and field has been vacated, the next teams should enter the field, having already been checked-in and ready for kick-off. The home team is to be situated on the North or West side of the field. The Away team is to be situated on the South or east side of the field. To save time, the Home team kicks off in all pool play.
Coach and Spectator Behavior
Coaches and spectators are held to a higher standard at the Commissioner's Cup. Any behavioral issues will result in teams being deducted points, or possibly not being allowed to advance should they win. When your team wins, you will be representing our Region as you compete against other Regions, Areas, or Sections. We take referee abuse and sideline behavior extremely seriously. We will only allow teams to advance who have proven to us they can maintain decorum, and create a positive atmosphere that follow the AYSO philosophies.
Tournament Schedule
The schedule is made available the weekend before the Cup begins. We can't build the schedule until the regular season ends, so we can see which teams qualify with volunteer points. If you're trying to plan your weekend, just know that you're playing multiple games that weekend and to block your weekend. All games will be at Region 114 fields.
Rules & Regulations
See top of this page for current year rules and regulations.
Why does my team need referees to reach the Cup?
We need teams to referee at the tournament. So each tournament team is required to have referees, so they can cover matches at the tournament. Additionally, if your team wins the Commissioner's Cup, you will need a referee crew when you advance to Area and to Section tournaments. And you will be required to referee your own level of play at those tournaments.
TL;DR: There's no point in us inviting teams to the Commissioner's Cup if they have no ability to help cover matches at each tournament.
Can I use other referees?
When using referees outside your team to reach the Commissioner's Cup, it doesn't solve the problem that your team is required to referee at Area and Section tournaments. So if your own referees don't reach the level, then when you play in the Area (or other) tournaments, you will not have referees and your team won't be allowed to advance.
If the outside referees understand they are obligated to continue covering your referee obligations at all tournaments, then certainly you can use them.
But the best option is to have your referees "level up" so they can get to your level of play. If they are comfortable at their own level and feel they are ready to level up to officiating a higher age group, they should reach out to the Regional Referee Administrator ([email protected]).
Questions?
Contact [email protected]