League Rules

Introduction

GoSoccer operates recreational small-sided soccer leagues throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Our mission is to build Minnesota's premier small-sided soccer league by offering welcoming, well-organized, competitive play across multiple divisions and skill tiers.

All players and captains are expected to review and follow these rules. Participation in any GoSoccer league constitutes agreement to abide by this rulebook, the GoSoccer Waiver, and the GoSoccer Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Action Policy.

Game Format

Match Length: Two 25-minute halves, with a 2-minute halftime.

Format: 8 v 8 small-sided play at all venues, except TCO Sports Garden, which is played 7 v 7.

Laws of Play

Substitutions

Substitutions may be made on the fly at any stoppage or during live play, in accordance with standard small-sided conventions.

Tackling

Slide tackles are not permitted under any circumstance. A slide tackle shall result in a direct free kick or penalty kick for the opposing team, at the location of the infraction.

Offside

The offside rule is not enforced in GoSoccer play.

Equipment

Shinguards are mandatory for all players.
Watches and other wrist-worn hard accessories are not permitted during play.

Goalkeeper Rotation

If a team does not have a designated goalkeeper present and no volunteer is available, players must rotate goalkeeping responsibilities for the duration of the match.

Restart Rules - Goal Kicks, Punts, and Throws

A goalkick, goalkeeper punt, or goalkeeper throw may not travel directly across the halfway line without first touching the ground or another player in the defending team's own half. Should the ball cross the halfway line directly from any of these restarts without such contact, play shall be stopped and a goal kick shall be awarded to the opposing team.

Team Composition & Player Requirement

Jersey Requirement

For GoSoccer-formed teams (individual and small-group sign-ups):

Home team wears Blue (shown as “VS” in the Crossbar app).
Away team wears White (shown as “@” in the Crossbar app).

For team-registration teams, jersey color should be confirmed with your team captain. All players should bring a white shirt or jersey as a backup in case of a color conflict.

Playing Time

For GoSoccer-formed teams, every player has paid an equal participation fee and is entitled to meaningful playing time. Every player should be substituted into the match at least once per half. Team captains may rotate a player out of the match as needed to help ensure equitable playing time across the roster.

Use of Non-Rostered Players

Team captains are responsible for their team's roster compliance and attendance. Teams must field only players officially listed on their roster.

Exception — Regular Season Only: If a team cannot field a full side or does not have any available substitutes, it may use a non-rostered player under all of the following conditions:

The non-rostered player is a currently registered league participant playing on that same league night (e.g., only a Tuesday-night league player may substitute for a Tuesday-night team).
The non-rostered player participates only as goalkeeper.
The non-rostered player is a league captain formally designated by GoSoccer.

Any team found to have used an ineligible non-rostered player outside of these conditions will automatically forfeit the match. The result will be recorded as a 0–3 loss for the offending team.

Play Identification - Finals

To ensure the integrity of the Finals, all rostered players must present valid identification in order to participate. Prior to kickoff, the match official will verify each player's identification against the official team roster. A player unable to provide valid ID may be deemed ineligible to participate in the Finals match at the match official's discretion.

Discipline & Conduct

Cautions and Send-Offs

Yellow Card: The carded player must be substituted and is sidelined for five minutes of game time. If the team has no substitute available, it plays short-handed for five minutes.
Red Card: The carded player is done for the remainder of the match, must leave the bench, and must leave the facility. The team plays short-handed for the rest of the match. There is no substitute for a red-carded player.

Match officials report all red card actions to GoSoccer administration via Assigr within 24 hours. GoSoccer administration may assess further disciplinary action based on the severity of the incident, up to and including termination of the player's account and future league eligibility. See the GoSoccer Disciplinary Action Policy for the full disciplinary framework.

Sportsmanship

Fighting, or pursuing or addressing another player, attendee, or official in a hostile manner, is strictly prohibited. GoSoccer may remove a player's participation privileges without refund when deemed necessary.
Referee decisions are final. Players should not argue with match officials; questions during a match should be directed to your team captain, who may raise them with game officials.
Players must be sober to participate. Any player who arrives visibly under the influence of alcohol or any other substance will not be permitted to play.

Officiating

GoSoccer is a recreational league, and match officials are grassroots community referees. Please treat officials with respect and appreciation, even in the event of a missed or disputed call. There has been a significant shortage of qualified referees in recent years, resulting in cancellations at the high school and youth levels as well; GoSoccer relies on the continued availability of community officials to operate its leagues.

Team Formation & Game Parity

For GoSoccer-formed teams, league captains create team assignments 3–4 days prior to the first game of the season. Assignments account for each player's skill rating, requested groupings, and preferred positions. Player ratings are updated at the conclusion of each season. Team assignments may be adjusted after the first game of the season to maintain competitive parity.

Health & Safety

Waiver of Liability

By participating in GoSoccer, you acknowledge that soccer is a physical sport in which injuries may occur. You agree not to hold GoSoccer representatives (captains, referees, or administrators) or GoSoccer LLC responsible for injuries sustained while on the field.

Injury & Emergency Response Policy

An injured player may choose to return to or leave the match. GoSoccer cannot guarantee refunds for player injuries.
A team captain who believes a player is too injured to continue may remove that player from the match and, at the captain's discretion, contact emergency services (911).
If emergency medical personnel respond, their evaluation governs the player's ability to continue. A player advised to seek hospital care or immediate medical attention may not rejoin the match.
GoSoccer and its representatives are not responsible for transporting an injured player to a hospital. Any player who volunteers to transport another player does so as their own independent decision; GoSoccer assumes no responsibility for that trip or any related actions or events.

Registration & Cancellation

All players must agree to these league rules to participate.
A player is not considered registered until full payment of the participation fee has been received.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations requested within two weeks of the season's first scheduled kickoff.
Team registration refunds are issued only if the vacated team slot is filled by another team from the waitlist.

League Technology

Download the Crossbar App (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to receive game notifications, track team attendance, and stay up to date on league announcements.