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Welcome to the 2024 Grand Rapids Cup


Frequently Asked Questions


Select a topic category or scroll down to the page to find your question.
Application
When will we find out if our team is accepted?
We will accept PAID teams after the July 21st deadline has passed. Teams will not be accepted before that date, we try to find a place for everyone.
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Bracketing/Team Selection
How are brackets decided?
Teams are seeded based on their previous seasons records.
The level of play you request on your application is looked at, but this is only a request and seeding will take priority.
You must be as detailed as you can with your record and use the notes section to fill in any additional info that may help us. We will seed teams based on your record (if available), so you may not end up in the level you requested.
If an age group has too many teams apply, other things will be taken into consideration and the selection committee's decision is final.
When will brackets be posted?
We try to post brackets 4-5 weeks before the event. You will be given a brief window to check your bracket before they are made final. Once we start work on schedules, brackets will be frozen and no bracket changes will be made.
When will the schedule be published?
We will aim to have the schedule posted at least three (3) weeks prior to the tournament.
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Format
Do we play games Friday?
YES, we will have full day of games on all THREE (3) days including Friday. This will be requirement of all teams participating in the tournament especially teams that do not fall under the Stay-to-Play requirements (Local teams).

Friday games also help coaches with multiple teams to help minimizing conflicts.
What are the playing division formats?
U7 & U8 play 4v4
U9 & U10 play 7v7
U11 & U12 play 9v9
U13 and above play 11v11
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General
What are the 7v7 rules?
Offside is called from the build out line to the end line.

We WILL utilize the build out line – When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line. Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate.
Punting the ball is NOT allowed.
After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the build out line and play can resume as normal. Build out line will be marked mid way between the top of the penalty box and the half way line.

Restarts/Free-kicks - All free-kicks outside of the penalty area will be indirect.
All restarts from inside the penalty area will conform to FIFA rules for penalty kicks, which will be marked 8 yards from the goal line.
On pass back to keeper, keeper may play ball at feet but NOT handle, as per FIFA rules.

We will utilize a one ref system for 7v7 games.
Can my child play for more than one team in this tournament?
NO, a player can only play on ONE team for the tournament, this is a rules requirement. Any team that fields a player for two teams during the tournament will have their game forfeited and will not be allowed to advance to finals.
If a goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands, how is the 'six second rule' applied given the presence of the Build Out Line?
A goalkeeper may choose to play the ball from his or her hands before the opponent has retreated behind the Build-Out Line. In this case, the 'six second rule' is not applied, as the goalkeeper has willingly decided to quickly release the ball into play.

If a goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands, and is clearly waiting for the opposing team to retreat behind the Build-Out Line, the six second period should be started ONLY once the opposing team has retreated behind the Build-Out Line. This allows for the goalkeeper's team to have the time and space to play out of the back without immediate pressure.
The application form does not look right on my screen (overlapping drop down boxes, long rows over the input fields, etc.) What is going on?
First, you should let the ENTIRE form load BEFORE you scroll. It is a big form.

In short, your computer does not have enough memory (RAM) available to render the form correctly. Here is the solution that will work in most cases:

1. Clear the cache (temporary files) in Internet Explorer (Usually Tools>Internet Options>Remove Temporary files
2. Shut down Internet Explorer
3. Restart the computer
4. Open JUST MS Internet Explorer.
5. Go to Web site, fill out form.

In most cases, this will solve the problem....
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Hotels/Travel
Are we required to book hotels through the tournament?
YES, we have partnered with Travelling Teams for the Midwest United Cup and it is a tournament requirement that teams use this service. Travelling Teams offer excellent rates in many hotels in the surrounding area and downtown. Commuting teams are not subject to this rule. Any team traveling more than 60 minutes is required to book a hotel stay via Traveling Teams.
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Registration
How many guest players can be on a single team?
A maximum of 5 guest players (from outside a team’s club) are allowed per team at MSYSA sanctioned tournaments. Additionally, an unlimited number of club pass card players are allowed per team, provided that at least 51% of the players appearing on a tournament roster also appear on a team’s league roster.

“Club” means an organization providing soccer to youth players that is either a direct member of MSYSA or that registers players with MSYSA through an affiliated member. At no time shall an affiliated member who functions as a “scheduling league” also be considered a “club”. In the case where a club sets up one or more satellite clubs in the state, those satellite clubs may only be considered part of the main club for the purposes of Midwest United FC tournaments if all the following criteria are met:

1. The main club and satellite club have the same Board of Directors

2. The main club and satellite club have the same Tax ID number

3. The main club and satellite club are in the same MSYSA District as determined by the MSYSA Board of Directors.
What do I do to add a guest player?
For players from outside of your club:
We will need the guest player paperwork to be filled out at https://www.michiganyouthsoccer.org/Member_Services/Guest___Player_Forms.htm
This is a state requirement. You will also need their current pass card.

For players from inside your club:
They are considered "club passcarded players" and you do not need to complete the above process. See rules for more details.

Regardless of if the guest player is from in or out of club, you will also need a copy of the guest players official team roster, along with your own team roster.
Then, please write their name onto your team roster. If they have the same number as any player on your team then you will need to use electrical/athletic tape to create a new # on their shirt and record this on the roster.
When can I download my registration documents online?
Official acceptances to the tournament will be granted after the deadline. At this point you should also have received* an email from SportsForms with directions on how to submit your team registration. Grand Rapids Cup will have a 100% electronic submission ONLY. All paperwork will need to be submitted via SportsForms, no exceptions.

*Contacts listed on team application will be the contacts receiving an email from SportsForms. Be sure that coaches and team manager emails are listed for your team application.
Do we need to have signed Heads Up Concussion & Medical Release forms for all players?
Yes, a representative from the team must have ALL Heads Up Concussion & Medical Release forms on hand during the tournament for ALL players participating.
Is there an online check in option?
Yes, we have partnered with SportsForms for 100% electronic team registration. ALL paperwork must be submitted electronically. Directions will be provided by SportsForms once your team is accepted to the tournament and tournament registration deadline passes.

** Please note, ALL registration will be 100% electronic and NO teams will be allowed to do in-person registration, NO Exceptions! Your team will only pick up your player wristbands at the HQ tents 1 hour before your 1st tournament game!**
What if we have not had access to our Pass Cards before the Online Registration Deadline?
If you do not have your Fall '23/Spring '24 Player Pass Cards before the Online Registration Deadline, that is fine. You do not need to submit them in your PDF File. You do however, need to have your official team roster to submit.
What will I need at registration?
Registration will be 100% submitted electronically for 2023 Grand Rapids Cup.

All forms needed to submit your registration will be shared by SportsForms in an email. If you are a coach or team manager that did not get this email you need to contact us ASAP to be added to that email list.
Will we be able to register our team at the fields on Saturday?
No, there will be NO in person registration at all. ALL documents must be submitted electronically by the deadline put in place. All teams will be notified of the registration deadline in advance. No Saturday morning registration, no exceptions!

Our staff will be busy keeping the tournament running smoothly on Saturday morning and we will not be set up to take registrations.
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We will be posting questions on this page as they are asked, so check here before calling. (We are always are happy to talk to you, but this may save you time and a good healthy game of phone tag.)


 

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