Embassy Cup Tournament Rules

Teams will be given no less than 70 minutes of game time throughout the tournament. Exact match-length will be determined closer to the competition date.

Players must be at least 18 years of age on the date of the tournament.

Teams must be ready to play their game within 5 minutes of their scheduled game time.

Field player substitutions may be made at any point during gameplay or stoppages (except for free kicks) and do not require referee consent. In the interest of game management, referees may choose to limit substitutions at any time. 

Players must enter and leave the field from their team's bench. Goalkeeper substitutions may only occur during stoppages in play and with the referee's consent.

Slide tackling is not permitted. A slide tackle is defined as going to the ground in such a way that creates a dangerous situation for an opponent (no matter where on the field or whether performed by an attacking or defending player). Included in sliding is lunging in such a manner that a knee or other body part touches the ground; it also includes unintentionally going to ground while slipping.

Performance of a slide tackle, particularly one that results in dangerous contact with an opponent, may be grounds for a yellow card or worse on the part of the referee.

Referees' discretion is final, and they will award either an indirect or direct free kick depending on the result of the play. Any slide tackles committed in the penalty area will result in an automatic penalty kick.

Players may slide when not creating a dangerous play, i.e., sliding to keep a ball in play. Goalkeepers can slide if attempting to block a shot or make a save. Some incidental contact with an attacking player may be allowed if the goalkeeper plays the ball. They are not allowed to slide to tackle an opposing player.

8 yards

Offside will not be enforced in this competition.

Athletic plays (i.e., bicycle and scissor kicks) are allowed in the run of play, provided they do not create a dangerous situation for other players. Athletic plays deemed dangerous by the referee will result in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposing team.

Goalkeepers may punt, throw, or send goal kicks across the midline without restriction. A goalkeeper can score directly off a punt, but not from a throw or a goal kick.

Yellow cards are not cumulative and do not carry over from previous matches.

Players receiving a yellow card caution will be required to substitute off the field for a minimum of 2 minutes. The referee will indicate when the cautioned player may return to the field. Should a team not have substitute players available, they will be required to play down a player until the referee indicates that re-entry is possible.

Any player receiving a red card during the group stage play will be ineligible for the rest of the group stage round. 

A player receiving a red card in the last match of the group stage play will be ineligible for the first match in the knockout stage. 

Any player receiving a red card during the knockout stage will be ineligible for the rest of the knockout stage.

Team captains assume responsibility for team leadership, order, and discipline while participating in the Embassy Cup. This includes modeling good sportsmanship and self-control for teammates. If any of this becomes an issue, captains should expect to be addressed by referees and/or tournament directors.

In registering for the tournament, players agree to abide by the District Soccer Player Pledge, which emphasizes expectations for participant conduct and behavior. Tournament directors assume the right to expel any individual in violation. 

Players who are named on the District Soccer banned player list are ineligible to participate in the Embassy Cup.

Knockout-stage qualification will be decided closer to the tournament date.

Should teams be tied on standings points, the following tie-breakers will be used to determine final regular-season seeding:

1. Goal Differential
2. Goals Scored
3. Goals against
4. Head-to-Head
5. Coin Toss

Extra Time rules

Should games be tied at the end of regulation, Matches will move straight to a best-of-5 penalty shootout to determine the winners.  Note:  In the coed division, no gender may take more than two consecutive kicks.