2014-15 Generation adidas Cup: Champions Division Guidelines

The U-17 Generation adidas Cup: Champions Division will be held at the home of FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas, from March 29 to April 4, 2015.

Group A
Group B
Group C
Toronto FC
Sporting KC
River Plate (ARG)
Aspire Academy (UAE)FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake
Athletic Club Bilbao (ESP)
Pumas UNAM (MEX)SJ Earthquakes
Philadelphia Union
Palmeiras (BRA)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)

Competition

• Only players born on or after January 1, 1998 are eligible. Passport will be the only proof of identification. (There will be no overage players allowed to participate in this competition)
• A maximum of twenty (20) or a minimum of eighteen (18) players may be on the roster. Final list to be provided to MLS by March 20, 2015. (All eligible players are available for selection in each match). No changes may be made to the rosters after March 25, 2015.
• All Clubs will play five (5) matches over the course of the competition.
• Each group winner and best overall second place team advance to semifinals.
• Each match will consist of two (2) halves thirty-five (35) minutes, with a halftime rest period of ten (10 minutes). 
• Three (3) points will be awarded for a win and one (1) point will be awarded for a draw.
• If the score is tied at the end of the regulation both teams will be awarded one (1) point and a FIFA-style shootout from the penalty mark will be held to determine a winner. One (1) additional point will be awarded to the team who wins the shootout.
• Each team will be allowed five (5) substitutions per game; re-entry will not be permitted.
• The tiebreakers will be as follows:
  1. Highest number of points
  2. Most wins in regulation
  3. Head to head winner
  4. Highest goal difference in regulation
  5. Most goals scored in regulation
  6. Fewest Disciplinary points
  7. Coin toss (two teams) or drawing of lots (more than two teams)

Yellow/Red Cards

• Two (2) yellow cards will result in a one (1) game suspension (cards will be reset after third match).
• One (1) red card will result in a minimum of a one (1) game suspension (to be reviewed by Competition Committee).

Disciplinary Points

• One (1) point will be assessed for every yellow card caution received during the competition
• Three (3) points will be assessed for every red card ejection received during the competition
• Five (5) points will be assessed for any ejections of staff from the technical area during the competition

Pre-match

• Starters and referees must be ready to enter the field FIFA-style (five [5] minutes prior to kick-off time).
• Teams shake hands and captains gather with referee for pre-match coin toss.

Post-match

• Players will shake hands at midfield at the conclusion of each match.
• Match report must be signed by both coaches and referee after completion of each game.