The National League

2025-2026 Seasonal Year

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SECTION 1.  ADMINISTRATION & AUTHORITY

1.01 National League Cup
The National League Cup (NL Cup) is a National League (NL) program under the authority of the National League Management Group (Management Group) as directed within the USYS Leagues Policy. The Management Group shall determine the number and format of the NL Cup playoff events to be operated during a seasonal year. In addition, the Management Group will determine the deadlines for application/registration, method of team qualification and acceptance of teams to compete in the NL Cup.

1.02 Rules
The NL Cup is governed by the rules adopted by USYS, the United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer), and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) except as modified by those rules and these NL Cup rules.

1.03 Administration & Final Authority
The NL Event Manager (Event Manager), in consultation with the Management Group, shall have the final authority to act in the best interest of a NL Cup event, which shall include but not be limited to rules interpretation, discipline, adjustment of procedures, and making decisions to address situations not covered in these rules.

SECTION 2.  ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

2.01 Team Eligibility & Acceptance
Any team competing in the NL during the same seasonal year as the NL Cup may apply for entry into the NL Cup. A team must maintain a NL Cup roster continuity of nine (9) players with the NL division roster.

Any team that does not meet the eligibility requirement will be ineligible for any qualification/advancement out of the NL Cup and may be removed from the NL Cup.

Team acceptance in the NL Cup is conditional based on fulfillment of eligibility criteria. Additionally, teams accepted into the NL Cup must comply with all rules, procedures, and decisions of the NL.

2.02 Software
GotSport is the official software of the NL Cup, which includes but not limited to registration, payment, scheduling, referee assigning, roster management and scoring.

No registration will be received or accepted in any other system. Teams must have a GotSport account to be registered for the NL Cup, and such account must have accurate information regarding the primary team contacts at time of submission. Prior to and throughout the NL Cup, coach, manager, and player information for each team must be accurate within GotSport.

2.03 Event Fees & Fines
Teams accepted into the NL Cup will be charged a $750 entry fee. The NL Cup entry fee will be charged to a team at the time of acceptance and is non-refundable.

Fines will be assessed according to the NL Cup Fine Schedule, found in the appendix of these rules.

2.04 Lodging Requirement
The NL Cup partners with On Location (Anthony Travel) for team lodging accommodations. Any team located 100+ miles from the host facility must use On Location to book their lodging accommodation (8 rooms per night minimum) or pay a buyout fee ($1500/team). Payment of buyout fees will be coordinated by On Location and according to their policies/procedures. Any team located 100+ miles from the host facility that are not in compliance with this lodging requirement will be fined (see appendix), removed from the NL Cup and/or will be ineligible to advance to the NL Cup Finals event.

SECTION 3. STRUCTURE

3.01 Competition Structure
The 2025-26 NL Cup is a two-stage competition. The first stage features four (4) Playoff events in June: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest. Teams from each Playoff event will qualify for the second stage in July, which is the NL Cup Finals.

3.02 Age Groups
The NL Cup will include the following Boys and Girls age groups: 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 19U

3.03 NL Cup Playoff Event Format
Each Playoff event will include a maximum of eight (8) teams per age group/gender placed into two (2) groups of four (4) and will follow a round-robin play format, playing three (3) matches over three (3) days. The first (1st) place team from each group will earn qualification into the NL Cup Finals. Should an advancement position be vacant, the next highest team by points & tiebreakers from such Playoff event will earn qualification into the NL Cup Finals.

The Management Group retains the authority to alter the Playoff event format and qualification (if necessary) and/or disqualify teams from advancement for reasons to include but not be limited to behavior, discipline, delinquent payment of fees or fines, bad standing with USYS/State Association, use of ineligible players, and/or failure to fulfill NL eligibility requirements.

3.04 NL Cup Finals Format
The NL Cup Finals event will include a maximum of eight (8) teams per age group/gender placed into a bracket play format, playing three (3) matches over three (3) days. Bracket play will follow a quarterfinals /semifinals/finals format.

3.05 Match Length

Age GroupLength of Each Half
13U-14U35 minutes
15U-16U40 minutes
17U-19U45 minutes
The Event Manager may reduce the length of each half in rare situations for a match to be played.

3.06 NL Cup Playoff Event – Points & Standings
Teams will earn three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. Final standings within each group will be based on total points earned and use of tiebreakers (if applicable). Sequence of tiebreakers can be found in the appendix of these rules.

If a team at an NL Cup Playoff event does not play the same number of matches due to unforeseen circumstances (excludes forfeits), the Event Manager shall determine the final standings utilizing average points per match and any additional tiebreaker sequence necessary.

3.07 NL Cup Finals – Match Results
Matches played at the NL Cup Finals must identify a winner based on the bracket play format. Any match tied at the end of regulation time shall proceed directly to Kicks from the Mark to determine the winner (no overtime periods). Kicks from the Mark will be governed by the IFAB Laws of the Game.

SECTION 4. NL CUP ROSTER

4.01 Player & Team Official Eligibility
All players on the NL Cup roster must be properly registered with their club and USYS/State Association for the current seasonal year by the applicable NL Cup roster submission deadline. There will be separate deadlines for the NL Cup Playoff roster and the NL Cup Finals roster. Each roster must fulfill the continuity requirement in 2.01 of these rules.

Teams may only utilize properly registered primary and/or club pass players in NL Cup matches. Each player must have a physical or electronic copy of their valid USYS/State Association player pass.

All team officials on the NL Cup roster must be properly registered with their club and USYS/State Association for the current seasonal year. To be present on the team sideline, each team official must have their physical or electronic USYS/State Association pass.

4.02 Event Roster Minimums & Maximums
The maximum number of players that may appear on the NL Cup roster is thirty (30); however, only eighteen (18) players may dress and play in a particular NL Cup match.

The minimum number of players needed for a team to participate in a particular NL Cup match is seven (7). The minimum number of team officials needed for a team to participate in a particular NL Cup match is one (1).

The maximum number of team officials listed on the NL Cup roster is four (4).

4.03 Player Limitations
A player may only be listed as a primary player on one NL Cup roster. A player may be listed as a club pass player on multiple teams, but at no time may be listed on multiple teams in the same NL Cup age group. A player may only play for one NL Cup team per day.

4.03.1 Goalkeeper Exception
With written permission from the Event Manager, a goalkeeper may play for up to two (2) teams on the same day through utilization of club pass.

SECTION 5. SCHEDULING & MATCH MANAGEMENT

5.01 Scheduling
Each team will be scheduled to play three (3) matches. No scheduling requests will be considered; however, attempts will be made to de-conflict the primary coach of up to two (2) teams (as listed in the NL Cup software) at the NL Cup Playoff event, although conflict-free schedules are not guaranteed. Coach conflicts cannot be considered at the NL Cup Finals event due to the bracket play format.

The Event Manager will have the final authority over scheduling.

5.01.1 Scheduling – Unforeseen Circumstances
In the unlikelihood of a late team withdrawal from the NL Cup or other unforeseen situation, every attempt will be made to find a replacement team to provide all impacted teams with the three (3) matches intended. Teams that negatively impact schedules due to forfeit or late withdrawal from the event will be fined according to the fine schedule in the appendix of these rules.

5.02 Official Match
If less than one half is completed and the match is terminated because of weather or other unplayable conditions, the entire match may be replayed, subject to review and final determination by the Event Manager. If a full half of a match is played, and the second half of the match is not played or completed because of weather or unplayable conditions, the match may be considered complete, subject to review and final determination by the Event Manager.

5.03 Forfeits
A forfeited match will be scored as a 1-0 win for the opponent. A team that forfeits a match will be subject to sanctioning including a fine (see appendix), becoming ineligible to advance from the NL Cup Finals, and/or be suspended from the NL. The Event Manager will ascertain the facts surrounding the forfeit and submit to the Management Group for review and determination of any additional sanctioning.

Failure to appear for a scheduled match will result in a forfeit. A team must be present and ready to play with the minimum number of players and team official within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled match time unless otherwise approved by the Event Manager.

5.04 Uniforms
Each player shall have a unique number affixed to the back of their jersey and be clearly visible. Goalkeeper jersey numbers are optional.

Each team is required to attend each match with two (2) sets of jerseys and socks (kits): a light-colored kit and a dark-colored kit. The team listed first on the schedule (i.e. home) is to wear their light kit and the team listed second on the schedule (i.e. away) is to wear their dark kit. The Referee shall define what constitutes light vs dark color. If, in the opinion of the referee, there is a conflict in uniform color, the offending team causing the conflict should change into their other kit.

5.04.1 Uniform Etiquette
In the interest of avoiding uniform color conflicts, the best practice within the NL Cup is for teams to communicate with each other beforehand to confirm uniform colors for an NL Cup match.  The Event Manager may assign jersey colors for matches if deemed appropriate.

5.05 Uniform Logos and Patches
Teams playing in the NL Cup are permitted to have the following limited items on their match uniforms:

  • Affiliated USYS or National League patch/logo
  • Club logo and/or team sponsor logo
  • Player name/jersey number

No other patches or logos are permitted unless written permission is granted by NL. All patches or logos not permitted must either be covered up or removed.

5.06 Substitutions

Age GroupSubstitution Procedure
13U-14UUnlimited over three (3) moments* per half + halftime
15U-19UUnlimited over four (4) moments* per match + halftime
*as defined by IFAB Laws of the Game

Substitutions may be made at any stoppage of play with the approval of the referee.

Re-entry shall be at a normal substitution point (with approval of the referee) or at any point during the match if the referee signals for the player’s re-entry.

5.06.1 Temporary Substitution
During a match where a Health Care Professional (HCP) or Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC) is present, if a player is suspected of suffering a head injury, such player may be substituted for evaluation. The substitution for the evaluation of a concussion/head injury will not count toward the teams’ total allowable moments (unless other substitutions are made at the time of the temporary substitution). However, the team must have at least one substitution moment available to implement this temporary substitution.

  • If the player is deemed by the HCP or ATC to not have been diagnosed as having a possible concussion, the player may re-enter the match at any stoppage of play, with approval by the referee, and must replace the original substitute. This head injury evaluation substitution will not count as a used substitution moment. Furthermore, the temporary substitute will be able to re-enter the match in a normal substitution moment. If the player is not cleared to return to play by the HCP or ATC, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitute but would also not count as a substitution moment (unless other substitutions are made at the time of the temporary substitution).
  • Any discipline issued to the temporary substitute will count for the remainder of the match.

5.07 Spectator Area & Team Official Responsibility
Spectators for a team are to only occupy the opposite side of the field from their team.

The team officials at a match are responsible for the behavior, conduct and control of team players, support staff, supporters including family and friends, and team management staff. Poor conduct and/or failure to control will result in disciplinary action as determined by the Event Manager.

5.08 Coaching from Sidelines
Limited coaching is permitted only from one touch line from the team’s respective technical area. Only one coach per team may stand and give instruction at a time.

5.09 Team Bench Area and Supervision
No more than four (4) registered Team Officials shall be permitted at the team bench area during a match. All bench persons on the team sideline must have proper credentials issued by USYS or State Association.

Players listed on the match card but are not part of the eighteen (18) eligible players are permitted in the team bench area.

5.10 Send Offs and Dismissals 
Any player sent off from an NL Cup match must leave the field of play but may remain in the Team Bench Area under the supervision of a Team Official. If the sent off player cannot be controlled by a Team Official, the Referee may require the removal of the player from the entire field area. If such a player is removed from the field area, a Team Official or parent must supervise the player away from the field area.

Any Team Official dismissed from a match must leave the field area and retreat to the parking area of the complex or an area designated by the Event Manager. Any team official who is dismissed is prohibited from communicating with his/her team during a match, including but not limited to cell phone use, texting, or other means of communication.

5.11 Suspensions
Any player sent off or non-player dismissed will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the day and next NL match played by that team. A suspended player may not club pass to another NL Cup team while serving the suspension.

All send-offs and dismissals are reviewed by the Event Manager who, in consultation with the Management Group, may impose an additional suspension.

All suspensions incurred during NL competition carry into the NL Cup and any suspensions incurred at the NL Cup carry into other NL competitions, including the 2026/27 NewComp League (subject to review by the NewComp Commissioner).

5.12 Racial / Spitting / Discriminatory Incident
Any official reports from a referee or league/event official involving a racial, spitting, or discriminatory incident (including use of banned words as noted in the appendix of these rules) will be subject to a minimum suspension as follows: at least a four (4) NL match suspension for making racist or discriminatory remarks at or about any person; at least a four (4) NL match suspension for spitting at a person.

All official reports of racial or discriminatory behavior shall be subject to review by the Management Group who may impose additional sanctions.

5.13 Match Manipulation
Match manipulation is when a team or teams fail to compete in the spirit of the competition or are involved in the manipulation of a match result. Reports of suspected match manipulation must be extensively substantiated in writing and be filed in writing with the Event Manager no later than two (2) hours following the completion of the match in question. The Event Manager, in consultation with the Management Group, will investigate and adjudicate all allegations of match manipulation and will impose appropriate sanctions.

Verified instances of match manipulation shall be subject to sanctioning at the discretion of the Management Group. Such sanctions against the team and club found guilty of match manipulation may include but may not be limited to: (1) a minimum $10,000 fine; (2) forfeiture of matches; (3) suspension of the team coach(es) and club Director of Coaching; and/or (4) suspension from NL.

5.14 Protests & Appeals
The protest and appeal procedure can be found in the appendix of these rules. All decisions of the referees regarding matters of fact, including judgment matters, are final and cannot be protested or appealed.

SECTION 6. REFEREES

6.01 Jurisdiction
Once the referee has jurisdiction of the NL Cup match, the match may be stopped, suspended, or terminated as provided in the IFAB Laws of the Game or as modified in these rules.

6.02 Assignments & Officiating
NL Cup match officials will be assigned under the authority of the NL by a certified USSF Referee Assignor, designated by USYS.

Matches should be officiated by the four-person FIFA/USSF Referee System, but some may be officiated by a three-person FIFA/USSF Referee System based on circumstance.

6.03 Match Report
Prior to each NL Cup match, the referee will be provided with a Match Card which will serve as the official Match Report following the completion of the match. The match card will be used to check-in the players and team officials from both teams. Following the match, the Referee will accurately report all scores, goal scorers, and cards issued onto the Match Report. The Referee will submit the Match Report to the Event Manager through a pre-determined submission process. A US Soccer Supplemental Report must be submitted for any send-off, dismissal, referee assault/abuse, or other noteworthy situations that arise while the Referee has jurisdiction.

APPENDIX A – NL CUP TIEBREAKER SEQUENCE

Applicable to NL Cup group play formats

A.1 Two (2) Team Tiebreaker Sequence
If two (2) teams are tied based on points earned, the team’s placement will be determined in accordance with the following sequential criteria:

  • Winner of head-to-head
  • Winner of most matches
  • Goal difference
  • Fewest goals allowed
  • Fewest Fair Play Deductions
    • Each Yellow Card (-1 point)
    • Each Red Card and/or Non-Player Dismissal (-3 points)
  • Coin Toss
    • If both teams are present, the Event Manager may replace the Coin Toss tiebreaker with Kicks from the Mark to break the tie.

A.2 Three (3) Team Tiebreaker Sequence
If three (3) teams are tied based on points earned, the final rankings will be determined in accordance with the following sequential criteria. If a criterion creates a situation where the three-way tie is completely broken, then that determines the final order of finish between those three (3) teams. If a criterion separates just one (1) team, then the two (2) teams that are still tied based on that criterion will resort to the two-team tiebreaker to determine the order of finish between those two (2) teams.

  • Points earned in head-to-head competition among the tied teams
  • Winner of most matches (all matches)
  • Goal difference in matches among the tied teams
  • Goal difference in all matches
  • Fewest goals allowed in matches among the tied teams
  • Fewest goals allowed in all matches
  • Fewest Fair Play Deductions
    • Each Yellow Card (-1 point)
    • Each Red Card and/or Non-Player Dismissal (-3 points)
  • Drawing of lots

A.3 Four (4) Team Tiebreaker Sequence
If four (4) teams are tied based on points earned, the final rankings will be determined in accordance with the tiebreaker sequence in Rule A.2. If a criterion creates a situation where the four-way tie is completely broken, then that determines the final order of finish between those four (4) teams. If a criterion breaks a portion of the tied teams, then the tiebreaker shall move to the tiebreaker that coincides with the number of teams that remain tied.

APPENDIX B – NL CUP PROTESTS & APPEALS

B.1 Protest & Appeal Definition
A protest is a formal written objection of any violation of established policies, rules, or procedures related to a specific match and can only be filed by the Club Director or Director of Coaching for the Club that the team is a member. Only the teams involved are permitted to protest a match result. Third parties, i.e., coaches from other teams, state administrators, cannot file protests on a specific match. Protests must be based upon a violation of the published rules of USYS, NL Event, or IFAB Laws of the Game. All decisions of the referees regarding matters of fact, including judgment matters, are final and cannot be protested.

An appeal is a request to transfer the matter from one jurisdiction to another for re-examination of the decision made by the lower body. Only those parties to the original action, who are impacted by such decisions, shall be allowed to appeal. An appeal may only be filed by the Director of the Club or Director of Coaching for the Club that the team is a member of. All decisions of the referees regarding matters of fact, including judgment matters, are final and cannot be appealed.

B.2 Lodging a Protest
To be valid and eligible for consideration, a protest of a NL Cup match must:

  • Be orally lodged by a team official with the match referee and the opposing coach before leaving the field of play.
  • Noted on the completed match card
  • Be orally lodged by a team official with the Event Manager no later than one (1) hour after match completion. Written submission and filing fee instructions given at this time.
  • Be submitted in writing no later than three (3) hours after match completion by the Director of the Club or Director of Coaching of the Club that the team is a member.
    • Filing procedure must follow rule B.4.

B.3 Lodging of an Appeal
To be valid and eligible for consideration, an appeal must:

  • Be lodged by a team official with the Event Manager no later than one (1) hour after the decision is rendered/communicated in writing to the affected party.
  • Be submitted in writing no later than three (3) hours after the decision is rendered/communicated in writing to the affected part by the Director of the Club or Director of Coaching of the Club that the team is a member.
    • Filing procedure must follow rule B.4.

B.4 Protest or Appeal Filing Procedure
A protest or appeal must be filed in writing to the Event Manager by the Club Director or Director of Coaching that the team is a member and include:

  • The nature and specifics of the protest or appeal.
  • A listing of the policies or rules that have been violated.
  • A statement of the desired resolution
  • Copies of all documents relevant to the protest or appeal
  • Filing fee of $500 (cash or certified check)

The Event Manager shall notify all parties involved that an appeal or protest has been filed.

B.5 Protest & Appeal Determination
The Management Group will review a properly submitted protest or appeal. Consideration and determination of a protest or appeal shall be closed to the public and the parties. The decision of the Management Group is final and will be communicated in writing to the appellant.

If a protest or appeal is fully upheld, then the filing fee will be returned to the party filing the protest or appeal; otherwise the filing fee is non-refundable.

B.6 USYS Bylaw
USYS bylaws provides the following:

  • No member of USYSA, official league, club, team, player, coach, administrator or referee may invoke the aid of the courts of the United States or of a state without first exhausting all available remedies with the appropriate soccer organization, and as provided by USYSA.
  • For a violation of this bylaw, the offending party shall be subject to suspension and fines, and shall be liable to USYSA for all expenses incurred by USYSA and its officers and members of the board of directors in defending each court action, including the following:
    • court costs;
    • attorney’s fee;
    • reasonable compensation for time spent by USYSA officials and employees in responding to and defending allegations in the action, including responses to discovery and court appearances;
    • travel expenses; and
    • expenses for holding special National Council meetings necessitated by court action.

APPENDIX C – NL CUP SCHEDULE OF FINES

OffenseFine
Withdrawal after acceptance into NL CupNo refund of entry fee
Withdrawal from NL Cup after schedule release$1,500 (& no refund of entry fee)
Forfeit of NL Cup match$500
Official reports of match manipulation$10,000
Failure to field a team for a scheduled match$1,000
Failure to adhere to NL Cup lodging requirements$1,500

APPENDIX D – NL BANNED WORDS

D.1 Use of a Banned Word(s)
Official reports of use any listed banned word(s) will be subject to a minimum four (4) NL match suspension. Subsequent incidents by the same player, team official or team will result in additional sanctioning. Other official reports involving racial, spitting, or discriminatory incidents will be subject to the minimum four (4) NL match suspension.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of racial or discriminatory words or phrases. Use of the asterisk (*) is utilized to prevent the actual word in print.

NL Banned Words List (non-exhaustive)
B*tty BoyF*gN*gger / N*ggaSp*c
Be*nerF*ggotN*groWetb*ck
Black BoyG*yP*toWhite Boy
Ch*nkH*moP*ssy 
Cr*ckerJewb*yRag He*d 
C*ntK*keR*tard / R*tarted 
D*ckMar*conSl*nt