U9-U12 – $550 (credit cards will not be charged until teams are accepted)

U9–U12: Traditional Tournament Format – ALL teams participate in tournament play on Saturday and Sunday.

U13-U19 (U12 11v11) – $800 (credit cards will not be charged until teams are accepted)

U13–U19: Final Four Format – Teams play qualifying games to advance to the Final Four. Qualifying games may begin Friday. ALL teams should be prepared to play Friday night.

For group and qualification play, teams are ranked by points earned. Consistent with USYS Rules tie breakers are as follows:

15.1 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 (Only applies if all teams in group play each other) • Winner of most matches • Goal difference (Max Goals of +5) • Fewest goals allowed • Fair Play (fewest total player/coach dismissals) • Penalty Kicks o If both teams are not present, the Competition Management Team may replace the Penalty Kicks tiebreaker with a coin toss to break the tie.

15.2 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 (Only applies if all teams in group play each other) • Winner of most matches (all matches) 10 • 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 • Fair Play (fewest total player/coach dismissals) • Penalty kicks (see two team tiebreaker)

15.3 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 3-Team tiebreaker sequence. 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.

For the 9-team best runner-up comparison, head-to-head is not applicable because the second-place teams come from different groups; therefore the comparison begins with goal differential.

Winners U13-U19 will advance to either Nationals or Presidents Cup Regionals & Nationals. Pathway must be selected upon registration and teams must uphold commitments.

Dates and Locations for both events will be posted as soon as USYS announces them.

To recognize achievement in MSA competition and provide a meaningful incentive for teams competing in State Cup  previous-season results will determine the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds for the following season’s State Cup. 

Returning State Cup Teams

For the 2028 MSA State Cup:

● The 2027 MSA State Cup Champion will receive the No. 1 seed in its corresponding 2028 age group.

● The 2027 MSA State Cup Runner-Up will receive the No. 2 seed in its corresponding 2028 age group.

● All remaining teams will be placed through a blind draw.

● Participation in, or competitive level of, outside leagues (including ECRL, N1, or any other league) will not impact seeding or provide any protection in the State Cup draw.

Teams Advancing from U12 to U13

For the youngest State Cup age group:

● The 2027 MSA U12 State Tournament Champion will receive the No. 1 seed in the 2028 U13 State Cup.

● The 2027 MSA U12 State Tournament Runner-Up will receive the No. 2 seed in the 2028 U13 State Cup.

● All remaining U13 teams will be placed through a blind draw.

SEED ELIGIBILITY AND TEAM CONTINUITY

State Cup seeding is earned by the team and its players, not the club.

To retain a No. 1 or No. 2 seed from the previous season:

● A team must return with at least 50% of the players from the roster that earned the seed.

● The same 50% requirement applies to U12 teams moving into the U13 State Cup.

● Normal roster changes, player movement, and the transition from 9 v 9 to 11 v 11 are permitted, provided the 50% threshold is met.

● A seed may not be transferred between teams within the same club.

● If a team returns with fewer than 50% of the players from the roster that earned the seed, the seed is forfeited and the team will enter the blind draw.

Forfeited Seeds

● If the No. 1 seed is forfeited, the previous season’s runner-up will be elevated to the No. 1 seed, provided that team meets all eligibility requirements.

● If the No. 2 seed is forfeited, or if the runner-up is elevated to No. 1 and no longer eligible for No. 2, the No. 2 seed will remain vacant.

● No semifinalist or other team will be elevated into a seeded position.

PURPOSE OF SEEDING

This system is designed to:

● Reward success in MSA State Cup competition.

● Provide a clear incentive to win or reach the final.

● Establish an objective and transparent method for determining future seeded positions.

● Ensure that league affiliation or perceived league strength does not influence State Cup seeding. MSA competition results determine future MSA State Cup seeding.