Fall 2024 Match Day Guide

Opening Weekend SEPTEMBER 6-8

Closing weekend for TCSL

Closing weekend for NPL

OCTOBER 4-6

OCTOBER 25-27

2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

table of contents About TCSL.......................................................... 4 Be Ready to Play.................................................. 5 Player Health & Safety.......................................... 8 The Club Pass...................................................... 9 Reporting Scores................................................10 Sideline Culture.................................................12 Respect the Ref...................................................14 The Postseason...................................................15 Information & Resources.....................................16

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ABOUT TCSL RAISE THE LEVEL OUR MISSION

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) sets the standard for youth soccer, on and off the field, creating an exceptional league experience for all.

OUR VISION

To collaborate with our members and partners to raise the level of every facet of the game.

OUR VALUES Collaboration

Listening first, we make shared decisions based on trust and transparency. We are as strong as the relationships among our staff, member clubs and partners.

Sportsmanship

We encourage and celebrate respect among clubs, players, parents, coaches, and referees.

Competition

We believe that appropriate competition is a cornerstone of player development and a sound soccer environment.

Excellence

We evolve and grow, on and off the field, to raise the level of the game for all.

Stay in the game. Follow TCSL on social media.

@tcslsoccer

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@tcslsoccer

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues

BE READY TO PLAY WHAT TO WEAR HOME KITS

For each of your HOME matches, your team must wear the following kit colors. The AWAY team should plan to wear a contrasting color.

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2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

BE READY TO PLAY WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR MATCH Each team must bring to each match: • GotSport match card with player photos and jersey numbers • Physical pass for each adult in the bench area (coach, assistant coach, manager, etc.)

Physical player passes do not need to be brought to the match

TCSL Game Day procedures

TCSL HELP CENTER Have a question?

We’re here to help. Visit the digital TCSL Help Center for information and support to help you have a successful summer season.

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PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY OUR #1 PRIORITY ON AND OFF THE FIELD All coaches and managers must complete the US Club Soccer adult registration. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. Requirements include: • Background screening • Disqualification review • SafeSport training All coaches and managers must have a printed US Club Soccer pass, issued by your Club.

Registration information

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2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

THE CLUB PASS SUPPORTING PLAYER DEVELOPMENT In past seasons, we were seeing too many situations where CLUB PASS (CP) players competed in matches in which they were not a suitable fit and these players could adversely affect a match outcome.

TCSL, with club director support, made changes to the CP rule in the Fall of 2023. Previously the CP rule allowed clubs to openly move players across rosters. We have seen a need to regulate and restrict its use to best serve the overall player experience.

Applicable to 11U-19U age groups only: • Within their age group, players are permitted to “play down” one competitive level below their primary roster competitive level, where they are listed as a Primary (“P”) player.

• Players are permitted to play up an age group without restriction.

TCSL believes this change still allows for appropriate player movement and supports clubs being able to be flexible in their approach to building match day rosters. At the same time, the CP rule also protects the integrity of scheduled games being played between teams of a like level.

Club Pass information

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REPORTING SCORES WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Referees are told to report scores within 24 hours. If they do not, we ask managers to assist us with keeping scores and standings up to date.

TCSL - Fall 2024 system.gotsport.com/scoring Event Code: 41f5c4 Event PIN: 0118 Fall league schedule & results

Minnesota NPL - 2024-25 system.gotsport.com/scoring Event Code: c8fa05 Event PIN: 0118 Minnesota NPL schedule & results

Score reporting

Scoring Tip Use a mechanism to keep score during the match (i.e. TeamSnap app, or another method) and monitor whether the score has been reported. If it has not, help us out by reporting the score.

Missing a referee?

It is likely that some matches are played without a full complement of referees.

Age group

Min. referees Max. referees If missing referees

9U/10U

1

1

11U/12U

1

3

13U/14U

1

3

15U/19U

1*

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Match should be played, facilitated by coaches If one (1) referee, each team provides a “Club Linesman” to assist center referee If one (1) referee, each team provides a “Club Linesman” to assist center referee If one (1) referee, each team provides a “Club Linesman” to assist center referee

*It is TCSL’s strong preference to prioritize 15U-19U matches be played with three (3) certified referees.

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Visit our website for more league rules information.

SIDELINE CULTURE SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR PLAYERS

The SUPPORTIVE SIDELINES course: Take it today!

We believe that a positive gameday experience is critical to the health of youth soccer.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more players playing.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more referees refereeing.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more coaches coaching.

Most importantly, it creates an enviroment most beneficial to the players.

Code of conduct

Match feedback

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2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

SHARING FEEDBACK FROM THE PITCH

Players/Parents/Spectators

Bring feedback about game day experiences to their coach(es)

> > Coaches Responsible for collecting/reporting issues to their Club leadership

> > Club

Responsible for evaluating issues and bringing concerns to TCSL

> > League Responsible for listening and collaborating with Club to address feedback

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RESPECT THE REF HELP US BUILD A POSITIVE CULTURE Coaches should GREET the referee at EVERY match. Thank them for coming. Set the tone for the culture of the match.

• There is a referee shortage. We need to encourage our referees to stay part of the game, instead of giving them reasons to leave.

• Referees will make mistakes. They are learning, just like our players.

• Decisions are made in the moment and are final. Please understand that angles are critical to decision making, and your angle might have differed from the angle of the referee.

• Be empathetic. The referee is a son, daughter, mother, father or grandparent. What if they were yours?

• Perspective is important. Ten years from now, your child will remember the friendships they made and their love for the game. They won’t remember a call in a specific match.

Please help us be a part of the solution by creating a match day experience that is supporting of EVERYONE.

Respect the Ref initiative

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2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

THE POSTSEASON FINISH YOUR SEASON IN STYLE 9U/10U

• BOYS - October 12 • GIRLS - October 13 All teams play 3 MATCHES

8U-TCSL Fives • ALL GAMES - October 12 All teams play 2 MATCHES

Information and registration

HOW IT WORKS

Top 4 teams in each age/gender/division automatically qualify

All teams play 2 matches Semi-finals, Finals, Third place

Final 4 information

4-0 4-0 0-3 4-0 2-2 0-4 3-1 2-2 1-3

QUALIFY

11U/14U TSCL FAll league Teams OCTOBER 11-13

Division A Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Division B Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Division C Team 1 Team 2 Team 3

Team 1 Team 1 Team 1 Team 2

Team opt-out deadline Sept. 20. All teams are assumed to be invested in playing in the league championship unless specifically opted out by this date.

Access Fall Final 4 Opt-Out form

2024 TCSL FALL GUIDE

information & resources • Fall TCSL schedules & results • TCSL Help Center • Respect the Ref initiative

• Team of the Week nomination • Events