SAN DIEGO SUMMER CHALLENGE 2025

SAN DIEGO SUMMER CHALLENGE 2025

Welcome to San Diego Summer Challenge 2025


Welcome to the 17th annual San Diego Summer Challenge! This year our tournament will be held on August 2nd and 3rd, 2025. Our tournament has continued to grow each year, not only in numbers but in the quality of competition as well.

In addition to great competition, traveling to our tournament offers the opportunity for a great family vacation. A few of the attractions you might visit while here in San Diego are the beautiful beaches, SeaWorld, The World Famous San Diego Zoo, Old Town, Seaport Village, Legoland, The Wild Animal Park, and the newly opened SeaWorld water park, Aquatica.

 

San Diego Summer Challenge Pricing:

We will be playing with 2025-2026 age groups (by birth year)

Ages: U8-U19

Boys/Girls

U8 (2018) - U10 (2016) 7v7 $850

U11(2015) - U12 (2014) 9v9 $950

U13 (2013) - U19 (2007/08) 11v11 $1050

Registration Deadline: July 20th

 

For questions, please contact us at info@albionsoccer.org

 

Rules of play:

It is the understanding of this tournament committee that all teams, including all players, coaches, spectators, and officials, will participate in the spirit of FAIR PLAY and will conduct themselves in accordance with the Tournament Rules.

 Protests:

No protests will be allowed during this tournament. The decision of the Referee, Field Marshall, and the Tournament Director shall be final. All games will be considered final.

Credentials:

Laminated 2025-2026 USYS, US Club, USSSA ID cards will be required to participate.. All teams must provide a team roster. Birth certificates must be available upon request. Digital cards are allowed.

 Medical Release:

All players must have signed medical release forms at team check in and throughout the tournament.

Players Age Groups:

The tournament will host U8-U19 age groups for boys and girls.

Roster Size:

Teams may register/roster a maximum of 22 players for the U16, U17, U18 and U19 age groups with a maximum of 18 players suited up per game, 18 players max roster for U13 through U15 age groups, 16 players max roster for U11-U12 and 13 players max roster for U8-U10. A team may use unlimited guest players but any team utilizing guest players is still limited to the stated maximum roster size. Note: Rosters are frozen once the first game is played and no additional players may be added after the competition has started. 

Tournament Club Pass Rule:

Goalkeepers are allowed to participate in more than one team within all age groups, provided that it is age appropriate and strictly in the capacity of a Goalkeeper; they are not eligible to participate as a field player. To do so, a Goalkeeper must be included on the official team roster and listed as “GK” prior to their respective team’s first game. It’s important to note that no Goalkeeper can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.

Field Players are not allowed to participate in more than one team within their own team’s age group. However, players are permitted to club pass “up” or “down” if age appropriate between teams outside of their team’s age group. To do so, a player must be included on the official team roster prior to their respective team’s first game. It’s important to note that no players can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.

 

Player’s Credentials and Equipment:

The referee has the final determination as to the safety of each player’s equipment. All players are required to use shin guards. No rings, chains, watches, casts, metal objects, jewelry, or headbands may be worn. Soft cast are permitted with the permission of the referee. Casts are allowed in CYSA if padded and the referee considers them to be safe.

 Player picture identification cards are to be present and available at all matches.

 Identification cards are required to be checked by the referee prior to each match.

 The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on the game card or roster.

 Home Team:

Home Team will be listed first on the scoreboard and in the program. The home team is responsible for game balls unless provided by tournament and if there is uniform conflict the home team will change uniforms.

 Requirements for Check-In & Registration:

At the Mandatory Registration, teams must provide the required credentials. All  teams must provide valid laminated Player ID Cards or virtual cards with photographs and signed medical Release forms. We will accept USYS, US Club, USSSA, and MLS NEXT.  

Foreign Teams:

Players must present passports at registration or, if not from a nation that the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States.

Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.

Teams are required to have letter from the Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

Conduct:

All coaches should be mindful to ensure that their players, bench, friends, and spectators associated with their respective teams, obey tournament rules and act civilly and in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Failure to do so may result in penalties or sanctions against the respective team, at the sole discretion of the tournament:
 

No mechanical devices are used;

The tone of voice is instructive and not derogatory;

Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards of either side of the halfway line

No coach, substitute of spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes or spectators;

No coach, substitute of spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

Any parental behavior on the sideline such as profanity, coaching, fighting or other behavior that is not sportsmanlike is not accepted. Teams can be removed from the tournament per the Tournament Committee if they feel team sideline is out of control.

 Equipment:

  • No Jewelry

  • Casts are allowed in Cal South if padded and the referee considers them safe.

  • Mandatory that all players wear shin guards

  • No alcohol permitted at the tournament

  • No noise makers

  • No smoking

  • No animals (Dogs)

 

Cautions & Ejection’s:

A player or coach receiving two (2) yellow cards in a single game is considered to have received an ejection (red card). Ejected players or coaches may not be replaced in the current game and shall serve a minimum of one game suspension at their next game played. For flagrant violations, longer suspension or additional disciplinary action may be enforced based on mandatory review of the Tournament Director. The tournament director will hold ID cards of the player or coach until suspensions are served. Suspended coaches cannot be on the same sideline as the team with no communication of any manner. Players may sit with the team but may not be in uniform. Suspended Coaches must be “Out of Sight & Sound of the Field”.

 Suspended Games:

If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated due to misconduct of players, bench or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeit all points and position previously earned. Additionally, the home league and state association will be contacted as appropriate.

Substitutions:

Unlimited substitutions allowed in all ages group. However, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission. Substitutes must wait on the sideline (off of the field of play) until the field player has left the field of play and/or the referee has indicated the substitute may enter the field of play. Substitutions are allowed only at the following times (including over-times):

 Substitutions by either Team are allowed at any stoppage of play with the permission of the referee.

 Side Lines:

Both teams and coaches will be on the same sideline directed by the field marshal or referee unless otherwise notified. All spectators will be on the opposite sideline.

 Forfeitures & Byes:

Games not played will be classified as “Forfeits & Byes”. Teams failing to report ready to play within Five (5) minutes of scheduled kick-off time forfeit that game. All teams who Forfeit will have the game scored 0-3 loss. The winner will be awarded 10 tournament points for a win (6 for the win, 3 for the goal, and 1 for the shutout). A team needs at least 6 players for a U8-U10 match and 7 players for a U11-U18 match for the game to get started. Teams taking actions which cause the game to be terminated will forfeit.

 Disputes:

Tournament Committee will handle all disputes that are non-referee decisions and make all final decisions.

Decisions by referees may not be appealed and any decision on a dispute will be final and may not be appealed.

Playing Times:

Play will be based on halves as specified below:

 Injury:

Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee. In the discretion of the tournament and its staff all Preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point.

 Home Team:

The home team appears first on the game schedule. The Home Team will supply game ball, unless supplied by the tournament. The game ball is subject to referee approval. The home team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey, if the referee declares color conflict.

 

Bracket Age Prelims & Finals Ball Size

U-17/U18/U19 30 Mins 40 Mins 

U-16 30 Mins 40 Mins 

U-15 30 Mins 40 Mins 

U-14 30 Mins 35 Mins 

U-13 30 Mins  35 Mins 

U-12 25 Mins  30 Mins 

U-11 25 Mins 30 Mins 

U-10 25 Mins  25 Mins 

U-9 25 Mins  25 Mins 

U-8 25 Mins 25 Mins

 All teams will be scheduled for a minimum of 3 games.

All Preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point.

A game is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the score at termination.

A preliminary game can end in a tie.

In the event that the wild card is coming out of the same group the tournament will determine that Group 1 Winner will then play Group 2 Winner and Wild Card will then play Group 3 winner.

Quarterfinals & Semi-Final Games ending in a tie will go directly to FIFA Kicks from the Mark to determine a winner.

 Half-time:

Half-time will be exactly five (5) minutes. Please help officials with this request.

 

Tournament Points System:

  • 6 Points For each Win

  • 2 Point For each tie

  • 0 Point For each Loss

  • 1 Point for each goal scored up to a maximum of 3 per game

  • 1 Point for each shutout

  • 0-0 tie will be scored as 3 points for each team( 2 for tie, 1 for shutout)

 

Score Reporting:

Scores after each game will be reported by the referees reporting the scores to the Field Marshall

 Tie Breakers:

In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined as follows:

  • The winner of head to head competition

  • Fewest goals against

  • Most goals for

  • Most total wins

  • Most Shut outs

If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 4, FIFA Kicks from the Mark will be taken 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Semi-Final game. If a 3-way tie exists within a bracket after steps 1-5, a three-way coin flip will be conducted. The teams that tie in the coin flip will compete in FIFA Kicks from the Mark to eliminate one team prior to proceeding to FIFA Kicks from the Mark with the third team. The coin flip and time of the FIFA Kicks from the Mark will be determined at the fields.

If a team advances as a wildcard and is set to play a team from the same group, the tournament most likely will move the wildcard team to play opposite semi final.

Rain or other weather conditions during the tournament shall not delay play unless the referee determines the field to be unsafe for play, or the venue determines that field damage will result due to continued play. In the event of such a delay or postponement games, the tournament will endeavor to rescheduled such games in a reasonable manner, if possible. If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain, weather, or other Acts of God there will be no refund or credit of fees.

 

Three Way Tie Scenario:

If more than two teams are tied at the end of preliminary rounds, the tie breaker criteria list shall be used in order shown to advance or eliminate teams. Once one team advances or is eliminated and if the remaining two teams are still tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. (See different examples below).

 

Example 1: Three way tie:

Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other.

Team A Goal Differential +3

Team B Goal Differential +2

Team C Goal Differential +1In this above example Team A is first place, Team B is second place and Team C is third place.

 

Example 2: Three way tie:

Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other.

Team A Goal Differential +3

Team B Goal Differential +3

Team C Goal Differential +1In this above example Team C is Eliminated. Since Team A and Team B are tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. In this case, Team B beat Team A 1-0 in pool play. Therefore, Team B is first place, Team A is second place and Team C is third place.

 FIFA Laws of the Game will apply as modified by USYS  as described herein.

 

All 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 games will be played using the US Soccer mandated rules for the 2025/2026 season.

 

7 V 7 games:

Deliberate heading is not allowed in 7v7 games. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred

 Build out line:

When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.

Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).

After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play.

If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.

The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.

Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.

 

9 v 9 games:

Deliberate heading is NOT allowed in 9v9 games for the U11(2015) birth year games. If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.

Deliberate heading IS allowed in the 9v9 games for the U12(2014) birth year games.

Punting or drop kicking the ball by the GK WILL BE ALLOWED.

There is no build out line on 9 v 9 games.

Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage.

 

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS: A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game will be given an ejection (red card). A player who has been ejected (sent off), will not be replaced. A player who has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game

 

9. Acts of God:

Rain or other weather conditions during the tournament shall not delay play unless the referee determines the field to be unsafe for play, or the venue determines that field damage will result due to continued play. In the event of such a delay or postponement games, the tournament will endeavor to reschedule such games in a reasonable manner, if possible. If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain, weather, or other Acts of God there will be no refund or credit of fees.