SUM U-17 Cup: The Festivites Begin!

The teams have begun to arrive at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the 2009 SUM U-17 Cup. Competition will begin tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM.

The teams participating in this year's competition include:

Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
DC United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Kansas City Wizards
LA Galaxy
Toronto FC
Real Salt Lake

Each team will be putting together a 20-man roster. Only 10 players per roster can be born in 1992; the other 10 must be born in 1993 or later.

Here is the format for this exciting event:

Competition

In the first round of competition, each team will play three matches. Teams will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for loss. The standings will then be used to determine the finals' matchups.

If two teams finish level on points, the tiebreakers are as follows:

1. Goal Differential
2. Most goals scored
3. Least goals allowed
4. Fewest Yellow/Red card points (3 points for Red Card, 1 point for Yellow Card )
5. Coin toss (two teams) or drawing (more than two teams)

Match Format

Each match will consist of two 40 minute halves, separated by a 10 minute halftime. In the case of a tie at the end of regulation in the final round, two 10 minute overtime periods will be played. If teams are still tied after the extra time, the match will be decided by penalty kicks in the traditional best-of-five format. Each team is allowed 7 substitutions and must start every player in at least 1 game. Each player must also participate in at least two games.

-Two yellow cards in consecutive games will result in a one game suspension
-One red card will result in a minimum of a one game suspension

This is a great opportunity for Colorado soccer fans to see the best youth players the United States has to offer! Stay tuned for updates on all of the games as the weekend progresses.

We hope to see you out and supporting the SUM u-17 Cup this weekend!

SUM U-17 Cup: The Festivites Begin!