Referee Resources

To opt in for text messaging, log in to GotSport and navigate to your Communication Settings at the top of the dashboard. There, you will have the option to enable text messaging by selecting “Yes.” A verification link will be sent to your phone.

Important Note: Ensure that your phone number is registered under the United States (indicated by the U.S. flag in the country selection field). If another country is selected, the verification text may not be delivered. Once you receive the verification code, enter it in GotSport to activate text messaging. Additional guidance can be found in the GotSport Referee Zendesk, which is linked in the presentation.

Yes, the game may proceed under these circumstances. However, if an AR is missing, please notify the Game Day Contact immediately—ideally 30 minutes before kickoff—so that we can attempt to resolve the issue. You can also check GotSport for assignment details.

Any potential head injury must be reported immediately by submitting a Supplemental Report to MSYSA. The affected player cannot return to play without clearance from a licensed medical professional. A coach does not have the authority to make this decision. Concussion protocols must be strictly followed.

Intentional heading: Restart with an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Unintentional heading: Restart with a dropped ball to the opposing team.

Inside the penalty area: If an attacker heads the ball, the defending team restarts from inside the penalty area. If the defending team heads the ball, the restart should be moved outside the penalty area to prevent a scoring opportunity.

League-specific rules and resources are distributed every Thursday and Friday via email, corresponding to the upcoming match schedule. These rules vary based on competition type, including Cups, Conferences, CMSSL, and EDP League Play.

Rules are also available at any time on the MSYSA website under the Referee Resources section.

Any birthdate discrepancy should be considered a serious issue. If a player appears older than the permitted age group, they cannot participate.

• Immediate Action: Contact MSYSA immediately.
• Verification: Use the GotSport match report (accessible via your assignment) to confirm player eligibility. If the game card does not match the official match report, the player is not eligible to play.

Substitution rules vary by competition:

• 15U-19U NL Conferences and MSYSA State Cup Matches: Limited substitutions with no re-entry.
• (All ages) EDP League Matches & Presidents Cup Matches: Unlimited substitutions.

If there is any confusion, referees should refer to the match-specific rules included in the weekly referee emails or visit the MSYSA website.

Yes, please report this issue by emailing referee@msysa.org. The League will follow up with the home team to ensure compliance with match requirements.

For Cup matches:

• The home team must wear a light-colored jersey.
• The visiting team must wear a dark-colored jersey.

If there is a conflict, the home team is responsible for changing jerseys.

No player, coach, or team staff member may be added to the game card after check-in. The only individuals allowed to participate are those officially listed on the game card and approved within GotSport.