NorCal State Cup FAQ

(This FAQ is updated frequently...)

NorCal State Cup Team Game Handbook
NorCal Team Game Handbook - Corrections

What is the NorCal State Cup?

The NorCal State Cup is a 3-4 month competition amongst the Gold Division and top Silver Division teams in a multi-round format.

What is the General Format for the NorCal State Cup? Formats

In general, teams play a prelimary round of group play (3 games), and then are re-ranked and re-grouped based on the results of the first round. After the second round of competition (3 games, with 6 total) is completed, every team moves into their final group of 8 teams for quarter finals. Half of the teams will move on to the Semi-Final rounds, whereby single elimination format will continue through the Championship for each group.

The format for this competition is unique, in that teams will ultimately be grouped based on strength of team (as indicated by results) and will compete in brackets with like teams. The brackets typically are Super, Premium, Gold, Silver, and Bronze 1-8. How long does the State Cup competition go? Depending on your age group, the NorCal State Cup will be completed in Late November (Ages U9-U10), Mid-December (Ages U11-U13), or later for the older age groups.

What is the Norcal Cup Game Schedule

U9-U10 (all teams guaranteed at least 7 games) - Round 1 (3 games): all teams guaranteed at least 7 games first round completed by Sun 10/11 - 3 locally played games; Round 2 (3 games): held at centralized locations on 11/14 and 11/15 am Girls -play at Granite Park in Sacramento; Boys play in Manteca - Woodward field; Quarterfinals ( all teams) play one game on Sun evening 11/15 same locations as above Semi-final games. (only those that win will continue play on 11/21 - Woodward Park Manteca Finals will be on 11/22 - Woodward Park, Manteca; Rain weekend makeup weekend is 12/13 and 12/14.

U11-12 (all teams guaranteed at least 7 games) - Round 1 (3 games): first round completed by Sun 10/11; Round 2 (3 games): complete by Sun 11/15; Quarter final games ( all teams) 12/5 - 1 game played at various turf fields - Marin may be a host for some of these games. Semi finals 12/6 only those that win move on Finals - Turf complex in Manteca on 12/19 and 12/20.

U13-14 - team guaranteed 6 games It will be similar to the U11 and 12 except that after 6 games, teams will be eliminated. Every team is not guaranteed a Quarter-final game

What is the deadline to complete the preliminary round of play?

See above, and check the NorCal State Cup game handbook and website. In general, first round games need to be completed by Sunday 10/11.

Norcal keeps asking me for my US rosters - what is this and how do I get one? 

US club rosters can be located and printed by going out to www.usclubsoccer.org and logging in.  (You must be a coach or manager with a login to do this.)  ONce logged in, go to "player management" tab, select your team and press details.  It will pull up your team roster.  At the top part of the screen, it will say "download" - go ahead and download the roster to your computer and save it - print as many copies as you need for your event.

How many rosters should I bring to the games?

If you are the home team you should have two copies of yur roster and of course your player passes.  Some tournaments require a roster for each game, so please make sure you have whatever is required.

What do I need to do as a Manager for a home game?

You should always confirm the game 72 hours prior to make sure that your opponent is confirmed.   This is only for your protection - it does not mean the other team has the option of changing the date...  Next -- Print out the game card - (look on the norcal website under your schedule, click on the game ID and you will see "print game card" at the top of the banner above the game.) Print a game card for the refs, along with two copies of your roster, one for the refs and one for the opposing team.   Make sure you have your player cards - you must present these to the refs when asked.  No player can play without a player card - there are no exceptions.

It's raining outside - who do I call to make sure the game is on?

If it is a home game it is your responsibility to call the field hotline and make sure the field is still open/playable. If it is an away game, please contact the opposing manager for more info about field status. In general, turf fields remain open throughout all but the most severe torrential downpours (but that is not to be assumed - check anyways!)

Do I have to pay the refs for league home games?