New York Champions Cup
The New York Champions Cup is the ultimate season finale—bringing together the top boys and girls teams from CJSL and EDP in the U10 through U17 age groups for one epic crossover tournament.
About the NY Champions Cup
The New York Champions Cup is a marquee benefit of competing in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League. This elite, invitation-only event brings together the best-performing teams from across CJSL, EDP North Atlantic (D1–D3), and EDP Connecticut for a final showdown celebrating excellence in youth soccer.
This year’s Champions Cup will be held June 21–22, 2025, at the SUSA Orlin & Cohen Soccer Complex.
Qualifying teams enjoy free registration—a major perk — however teams are responsible for referee fees during the semifinals (finals are covered by the leagues). Teams will be grouped into Gold, Silver, and Bronze brackets by level and bracket size, with semifinal and/or final formats applied accordingly.
To qualify, CJSL teams must complete their full Spring 2026 schedule by Sunday, June 14th, with no forfeits or incomplete matches allowed.
Event Details
Proposed Teams
| Age Group | Level | # of Teams Based on Standing Placement |
|---|---|---|
| BU10 | D1 | 3 Teams |
| BU11 | D1 | 3 Teams |
| BU12 | D1 | 2 Teams and D2 - 2 Teams |
| BU13 | 11v11 | 2 Teams |
| BU13 | 9v9 | 2 Teams |
| BU14 | D1 | 3 Teams |
| BU15 | D1 | 3 Teams |
| BU16 | D1 | 1 Team |
| BU17 | D1 | 1 Team |
| GU10 | CJSL | EDP Girls City 1 | 1 Team |
| GU11 | CJSL | EDP Girls City 1 | 1 Team |
| GU11 | CJSL | EDP Girls City 2 | 1 Team |
| GU12 | CJSL | EDP Girls City 1 | 1 Team |
Champions Cup – Division 1 Teams
Top Tier / Highly Competitive
Purpose
The Champions Cup is designed for CJSL’s highest-performing Division 1 teams and is intended to deliver top-level, highly competitive matches among the league’s strongest sides.
Selection Criteria
Teams considered for the Champions Cup will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
League Placement (Required)
- Team must finish 1st place in the Spring season to be eligible.
Team Performance & Results
- Consistent and competitive results throughout league play
- Demonstrated ability to compete at a high level against strong opposition
- Performance reflects readiness for top-tier tournament competition
Roster Stability & Availability
- Sufficient number of committed players available for the full tournament weekend
- Minimal scheduling conflicts that would significantly weaken team competitiveness
Behavior & Professional Standards
- Positive player, coach, and parent conduct throughout the season
- Demonstrated respect for opponents, referees, and tournament staff
- Compliance with CJSL standards of play and Zero Tolerance expectations
League Compliance (Required)
- Team must have completed the full league schedule
- Team must have no forfeits or unpaid fines during the applicable season
- Club-wide compliance applies: teams from clubs with outstanding forfeits, fines, or unresolved disciplinary matters may be deemed ineligible, regardless of individual team performance
Roster: Current USYS State Association photo roster
Passes: Current USYS Coach pass if the coach is not on the photo roster.
Fees: There is no registration fee for team entry. Teams are responsible to cover the cost of the referee fees except for the finals.
| U10 | U11 | U12 | U13-U14 | U15-U16 | U17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Eligibility | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13-U14 | U15-U16 | U17 |
| Game Day Roster Size | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| # Of players on the field | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Min # of players on the field | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Periods (minutes) | 2 x 30 | 2 x 30 | 2 x 35 | 2 x 35 | 2 x 40 | 2 x 45 |
| Heading | *IFK | *IFK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rests | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min |
| Ball Size | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Offsides | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approx. Field Size | 35/45 x 55/65 | 45/55 x 70/80 | 45/55 x 70/80 | 60 x 110 | 60 x 110 | 60 x 110 |
| Goal Size | Min: 6×12- Max:7×21 | Min: 6×12- Max:7×21 | Min: 6×12- Max:7×21 | 8 x 24 | 8 x 24 | 8 x 24 |
| Build Out Lines ** | Equidistant between penalty area line and the halfway line | No | No | No | No | No |
| Goalkeeper Punting | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Substitution | Unlimited at discretion of the Referee | |||||
| Back Pass to Goal Keepers | FIFA rules shall apply to back pass to the keepers. | |||||
| Penalty Shootouts | Penalty shootouts will be used to produce winners. If a match is tied after regulation, then penalty kicks (FIFA rules) will determine the winning team. | |||||
*IFK: When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick (IFK) should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal lines at the point nearest to the where the infringement occurred. This applies to all U11 and younger age groups in a competition.
** Buildout Lines: Should be marked in a different color than the field markings, alternatively, FLAT line markers or FLAT cones may be used.
Home/Away Team: Designated home team must change jerseys when the referee determines a conflict exists.
Protests: Protests are not allowed. The tournament committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to this competition.