Q:  Who is eligible to enter the USYSNC State Cup competition?
A:  USYSNC is an open entry competition meaning that any team is eligible; however, it is strongly recommended for Premier League and Division I teams. 

Q:  What age groups are eligible to participate in the competition?
A:  Competition at the district and state level will include U11 through U19 boys and girls teams; only U14 through U19 teams will advance to USYSNC Southern Regionals.

Q:  What's required to enter the competition?
A:  All teams must enter through the Affinity program.  The entry fee can be paid by credit card during the registration process.  Any team representative wishing to pay by check can chose the payment by check option and mail a check to the Eastern District Office.  It is extremely important that the team name and age group be provided with the check in order to assure proper credit to the team acount.

Q:  Are there any other requirements?
A:  The coach or manager of each team is responsible for providing the final team roster and all supporting documentation by the deadline established for the competition.  

Q:  What is the final roster and when is the deadline?
A:  The final roster must include all players who are eligible to participate with the team in the competition.  The final roster deadline is March 30th - This is an "in hand" deadline, not a postmark date.  

Q:  What are "supporting documents"?
A:   Any change made to the Fall 2007 roster must be documented.  There are three types of changes - transfer, release, add. 

Q:  What constitutes a transfer?
A:  Any player who was rostered to another team for the Fall 2007 season is a transfer.  Whether moving from team to team within a club, from one club to another, or from one association to another, a transfer form must be completed by the player's parent.  Transfers may be initiated in the Affinity program by the parent or registrar and must be approved by the registrar prior to the final roster deadline.  A copy of the transfer form signed by the parent must be submitted with the final roster.

Q:  When is a release required?
A:  Any player who was rostered to the team in the Fall 2007 season remains rostered to the team for the Spring 2008 season until a Release form signed by the parent / player is provided.  Coaches, managers, and registrars may involuntarily release (without a signed form) a player only if they meet the criteria stated in the rules - moved out of the area, injured too severely to participate, or has violated STYSA, USYS or USSF Rules and is suspended from participation.  Documentation of the circumstances must be provided with the release form and approved by the State Registrar prior to the player's removal from the roster.  For all other releases, the form must be signed by the parent.

Q:  Who is considered a new player?
A:  Any player who has not been registered with STYSA or another US Youth Soccer State Association must register through the Affinity program and be assigned to the team.  Registration fees will be paid to the Club/Association and will be paid to the state by the Association with their Spring registration.

Q:  How do we get to play in the USYSNC State Cup Memorial Day weekend?
A:   First and second place teams in each age group of the Eastern District competition will advance to the USYSNC State Cup to face the top two teams from Western District and an El Paso team, if entered in the competition. 

Q:  What's the format for the USYSNC State Cup?
A:  Each age group will be a 4 or 5 team round robin with final standings determined by points earned.  Four-team groups will play one game per day.  In five-team groups, there will be two games for some teams.

Q:  Is there any advancement from the USYSNC State Cup and, if so, who, when and where? 
A:   First place teams in the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups will represent South Texas as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Southern Regional Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina June 19th through June 25th.  There is a possibility that additional teams may be offered an opportunity to advance if another state is unable to send a team; however, these invitations will be extended by the Region to the State Association who will then contact the team.