Prairie Cup XXI
July 7-9, 2006
Welcome to Eden Prairie, Minnesota and the Eden Prairie Soccer Club. For 21 years we have offered one of the finest tournaments in the Midwest. As a community based soccer club, we believe we know what it takes to host an enjoyable weekend event providing fun for the entire family while at the same time promoting the world's most popular game.
Come be a part of the weekend. Register today...Space is limited.
The Eden Prairie Soccer Club invites Girls and Boys Premier, Classic Club teams, League Select teams and Tournament teams to compete in the 21st Annual Eden Prairie Cup Tournament. We are pleased to host this exceptional regional tournament featuring teams from several foreign countries and states. The Tournament is designed to offer players a competitive experience with an International flair in one weekend. It is large enough that we can structure our brackets as single age divisions to insure competitive play at all levels, yet small enough that your team will feel welcome in our community. Last year, we offered over 30 brackets with championship rounds featuring teams from 7 states or foreign countries, all played on fields located within the City of Eden Prairie.
Tournament Brackets
The Cup provides play within single age groups from U13 though U17 and a two-year group at U19.
U13 through U16: Two Brackets [RED: Premier, Tournament and C1] [BLACK: C2 and C3]
U17 AND U19: One Open Bracket [RED: Premier / C1]
Red Brackets – Premier, State Select, League Select, Tournament only teams and Classic One. In order to provide the most competitive experience possible, selection will be made based on competitive level of teams applying. Preference will also be given to out-of-state teams.
Black Brackets - Classic Two or Classic Three Teams. Preference will be given to out-of-state teams; however, selection process will be on a first registered, first in basis.
The tournament reserves the right to place a team in the correct bracket. Examples follow:
Teams from leagues with only one competitive level will be placed in higher bracket.
Wisconsin teams that use the National and American bracket structure will be placed with National teams in Red bracket and American teams in Black
Tournament - only teams will be placed in the Red bracket.
The minimum number of teams in a single bracket will be four. The maximum number of teams per bracket will be sixteen.
§ Weather permitting; each team will play a minimum of three games with no overtime in an open play format.
§ Game length:
Ø Ages 13 – 14 will play 30 minutes per half,
Ø Ages 15 – 19 will play 35 minutes per half.
Ø 5 minutes for half time
§ Semi - Final and Final games will be regulation length with two five minute overtime periods followed by kicks from the mark to break ties per the July 2004 FIFA rules change.
§ Games will start on Friday mid-afternoon, with finals played Sunday. Under normal conditions, no teams will play more than 2 games on any given day.
§ MYSA (MN) teams with potential district play conflicts should plan accordingly. Once confirmed, there are no refunds.
§ If the weather or the field conditions make it impossible to carry out the tournament to its full extent, the Tournament Director will make the necessary decisions concerning the rescheduling or cancellation of games for any reason.
Registration and Fees
There are three ways to register. For your convenience try the new on-line registration located on our website (www.epsoccerclub.com). You may also download the registration form and register by fax or by mail. Full payment must be made at time of registration to be considered complete.
ALL TEAMS - $395
The registration fee covers all expenses with no additional player fees.
Application deadline is April 20th. In order to provide the most competitive experience possible, selection will be made based on competitive level of teams applying in the Red brackets. Preference will also be given to out-of-state teams. In the Black brackets Confirmations will be mailed by May 1st. Once confirmed, no refunds will be made. Fees are non-refundable if games are cancelled for any reason. Tournament schedules, rules, field maps along with general information will be mailed June 1.
Important Dates
· April 20th Application deadline
· May 1st Confirmations will be mailed. Once confirmed no refunds will be made
· June 1st - Schedules, rules, field maps along with general information will be mailed.
· June 15th - Travel papers required
· July 7 - Games begin at 2PM
· July 9 - Finals conclude mid-afternoon
§ Players must be registered with US Youth Soccer or approved organizations, have 2006 player pass, and be officially registered on a team.
§ A maximum of 18 players may be registered and listed on the Tournament Roster.
§ A player may only play on one team.
§ There is a limit of 6 guest players. A Premier player may only guest on a team that is competing in the Premier/Classic One (RED) bracket.
§ We follow USYSA / FIFA travel procedures and require out-of-state (non-MYSA affiliated) and foreign teams to submit written proof of permission to travel 15 days in advance of the Tournament. Foreign teams must show proof of permission to travel from their National Association.
§ All teams are required to have medical authorizations for each player available for inspection at registration and games. Teams not affiliated with USYSA must present written proof of insurance coverage for all players, coaches/personnel at registration.
Referees Only - USSF registered referees will be used. We will use a three-referee system for all games. A referee availability form is available on online. On-line registration for referees will be coming soon.
All Tournament games will be played on fields located within the city of Eden Prairie. The major venues will be Eden Prairie High School, Miller Park, Flying Cloud Field Complex, Franlo Park and Central Middle School. All venues are within 15 minutes travel time of each other.
§ Where possible, both teams will be on the same side of the field and fans on the opposite side.
§ Teams are asked to assist in ground maintenance by picking up trash at the end of each game.
§ As a MYSA sanctioned event there is absolutely no alcoholic beverages, drug or tobacco usage allowed on tournament grounds.
§ This is a tobacco free event – no smoking is allowed in any of the Eden Prairie parks or school grounds where tournament games are played. Dogs are not allowed at the Flying Cloud fields.
The Eden Prairie Soccer Club is in good standing, with the tournament sanctioned by Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA), a member of USYSA.
§ Every player participates at his or her own risk.
§ Each team is responsible for their medical supplies and for the treating of injuries.
§ Paramedics will be available to assist coaches and parents with injury assessment. They are not the primary care givers of first aid.
§ The field marshals will be in communication with the paramedics; however, each team should act immediately in cases of emergencies.
§ Directions to hospitals and other clinics will be available.
The Eden Prairie Soccer Tournament follows the MYSA guidelines for suspension of play or cancellation of games in the event of severe weather or adverse field conditions. With games being played at multiple locations the following guidelines are provided:
§ Individual games may be suspended or terminated by the referee.
§ At multiple field locations the site manager will make a determination as to conditions. An air horn will be used to signal suspension and restart. At that point all games at that location will be suspended or terminated.
§ If widespread severe weather warnings are broadcast or a community siren is sounded ALL LOCATIONS will have games suspended or terminated.
§ If the weather or the condition of the fields makes it impossible to carry out the tournament to its full extent, the Tournament Director will make the necessary decisions concerning the rearrangement or cancellation of games for any reason
§ Game length and times may be shortened or altered until back on schedule, or games may be rescheduled or cancelled.
§ In extreme heat, for the safety of players, the tournament may shorten halves and add water breaks. The Prairie Cup will follow heat index guidelines published by Minnesota Youth Soccer
§ Severe weather generally means heavy thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and/or dangerous high winds. A light or medium rain shower, in the absence of thunder or lightning, does not generally constitute severe weather.
§ The Tournament Committee may cancel or shorten some or all games due to severe weather or adverse field conditions, if in its sole judgment continued play may be hazardous to the safety of participants and/or officials.
§ Additionally, referees may suspend or terminate play in any individual game due to severe weather or adverse field conditions if in their sole judgment continued play may be hazardous to the safety of participants and/or officials.
§ If play in any game is temporarily suspended due to severe weather or adverse fields conditions, the game’s re-start and completion is subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Any game, which is re-started, may not run ten minutes past the scheduled start time of the next game assigned to that field.
Ø If an adjacent field is vacant, with the permission of the Field Coordinator the referee may transfer the uncompleted game, but a relocated game also may not continue past the start time of the next game assigned to that second field.
Ø Games that cannot be re-started will be considered complete if one half has elapsed before play is stopped.
Ø Games, which cannot be completed before a first half of play has elapsed, shall have a recorded score of 0-0 for the tournament rankings.
§ The Tournament Committee without refund has the exclusive right to reschedule any cancelled games. Following any widespread weather delay, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to shorten the time of remaining games in order to re-establish a workable tournament schedule.
§ Cancellation of individual games or the tournament due to severe weather or adverse field conditions does not entitle teams to any refund of entry fees.
Eden Prairie is located in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Eden Prairie has amenities to enjoy including great parks and recreational facilities with 25 soccer fields. Eden Prairie is only minutes away from major attractions including the Mall of America, Underwater World, Valleyfair Amusement Park, and the Minnesota Zoo, with the National Sports Complex in Blaine approximately 40 minutes away. The Eden Prairie Soccer Club has hosted this top-flight community tournament for 19 years. All Tournament games will be played on fields located within the city of Eden Prairie. Come be a part of the fun!
Joel Nelson
EPSC Tournament Director
PO Box 44901
Eden Prairie, MN 55344