RULES

Match Competition
  • U13-U16 MLS Next | All teams play 3 group matches | All teams play a 4th match on Monday determined by final group standings 
  • U17-U19 MLS Next | All teams play 3 group matches | Teams will play an additional 3 games either in winner or consolation bracket (depending on their results) 
  • U17-U19 NAL | All teams play 3 Showcase matches 

Match Length:
  • U13-U16 MLS Next: 2x35 minute halves 
  • U17-U19 MLS Next: 2x30 minute halves 
  • U17-U19 NAL: 2x45 minute halves​
​
Match Ball:
  • Size 5 Official match ball must be used for all NAC matches

Video Equipment:
  • All games will be streamed through video
  • No Clubs/teams are allowed to bring their own equipment 

Roster Size & Substitutions 
  • MLS Next and NAL: No GUEST players
  • MLS Next U15-U19: 
    • You are permitted 20 players on your match day rosters, but only 18 max can participate in the match.
    • 7 Substitutions over 3 moments per match not including half time. Maximum of 2 moments per half.
    • Temporary concussion substitutions do not count toward substitutions or moments.
    • No Re-Entry
  • MLS Next U13-U14​
    • You are permitted 20 players on your match day rosters, but only 18 max can participate in the match.
    • Unlimited substitution over 3 moments per match not including half time. Maximum of 2 moments per half.
    • Temporary concussion substitutions do not count toward substitutions or moments.
    • No Re-Entry Per Half
  • NAL: You are permitted 18 players on your match day rosters. Unlimited over 3 moments per half, plus HT. Re-Entry is allowed. 
  • Concussion Protocol: A player who is suspected to have suffered a head injury may be substituted while being evaluated.  The substitution for the evaluation of the concussion/head injury will not count against the team's total number of substitution moments in the half. 
    • If the player is deemed by the on-site Athletic Trainer to not have suffered a concussion, the player may re-enter the match at any stoppage of play and must replace the original substitute; this head injury evaluation will not count as a substitute moment.  
    • If the player is not cleared to return to play by the on-site Athletic Trainer, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitute. 

MLS Next & NAL Rosters GAME DAY Management
  • Only MLS NEXT players are eligible to participate in the National Academy Championships. Full time and Future players are eligible if they are registered for MLS NEXT and show up on your Kitman Lab Rosters.
  • All bio-banding regulations are in effect, so if a player was biobanded in MLS Next they are eligible to be bio-banded in the National Academy Championships.
  • Please bring your own substitution cards.
  • Players who are serving suspension from MLS Next competitions are still eligible to participate. 
  • Players may participate on multiple teams (age appropriate only) but can only play in one team / age group per day. Players can not play in two different age groups on the same day. Your game day rosters must show such players and hence players are team / age group locked per day. The same applies for MLS Next Future players on NAL rosters - they can only play for one team (MLS Next or NAL) per day. 
  • Only 4 Coaches are allowed in the technical area during a game and they must be listed on the Match Card

Disciplinary Actions
The National Academy Championships will follow standard rules and guidelines regarding issuing yellow and red cards. There will be no exceptions for removing suspensions throughout the tournament. 

Players Equipment
  • All players equipment must conform to FIFA rules.
  • All players must wear shin guards (under their socks) 
  • Orthopedic casts are not permitted; however soft braces can be worn with written approval from a doctor, and judgement as to safety is at the discretion of the referee who is the ultimate authority (NO HARD CAST). 

National Academy Championship Tiebreakers
If two or more teams finish with the same points (1st Place) the following procedure (in order of priority) will be used to break the tie and determine the final standings:
  • Head-to-head (only applicable if two teams tied)
  • Goal Differential
  • Goals Against
  • Goals For Per Match
  • Penalty Kicks

Knockout Round Procedure
  • At U13-U16 if the 1st place game is tied after regulation, the game will go straight to penalty kicks (best of 5 and then sudden death). All other games will remain and be recorded as a draw. 
  • At U17-U19 all games that end in tie after regulation, will go straight to penalty kicks (best of 5 and then sudden death).