Metro Sports League Rules
Outdoor Soccer
This set of rules is established to govern Indoor Soccer games in the MSL.
Updated June 18th, 2026
Conduct
In the spirit of sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome, embrace kindness, have fun, and stay positive. Remember, we are a social league, and nobody wants to take a trip to the emergency room. Keep a relaxed attitude, engage positively with other players, and respect one another.
Metro Sports League has zero tolerance for aggression and fighting in our league. If a player or team is involved in an altercation, Metro Sports League reserves the right to remove any player or team from the league with no refunds.
Metro Sports League reserves the right to end any game early if the safety of any player, ref, or MSL worker is called into question.
Be mindful that no alcohol is permitted on the fields, as it violates state park regulations. Violators risk immediate expulsion to maintain a positive relationship with the facilities and ensure continued permission to use them.
Players suspected of having alcohol on the field may face permanent bans, affecting both individuals and their teams without refunds. Anyone bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to the field faces immediate removal.
These regulations are in place to safeguard players, enhance enjoyment, and foster camaraderie while respecting league partners and establishments.
Team Size and Player Eligibility
To participate in Metro Sports League, players must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver. Teams with 12 players constitute a full roster, with no maximum limit of players on a team. MSL may add individual players to teams if they do not have the 12 player minimum before the start of the season.
NEW
Guests are no longer permitted to play in the league. Only registered players who signed up for the entire season and has paid will be permitted to participate in the league. Teams found bringing guests will have their game forfeited. Multiple infractions will result in expulsion from the league with no refund.
(We found teams bringing ringers in previous seasons when playing tougher opponents. We want to minimize teams tipping the scales during certain situations)
Outdoor soccer will consist of 8v8 on the field. For Co-Ed, a minimum of 2 girls will be required on the field at all times.
The minimum number of players required to start a match will be 5. For Co-Ed leagues, at least 1 female must be on the field. Teams with fewer than 5 players will be required to forfeit their match for the evening and receive a 0-5 loss.
Games will be strictly on schedule and will start on time. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled game time to ensure you checked in any guests and have enough time to change and be on the field before your scheduled start time.
Forfeits
Due to a tight field schedule, games will start on time. If a team is unable to consistently begin their match on time, penalties such as point deductions, playoff ineligibility, and potential removal from the league will be considered.
NEW
The minimum number of players required to start a match will be 5. Teams with fewer than 5 players after a grace period of 5 minutes after the scheduled start of their game or no female players (for co-ed) will be required to forfeit their match for the evening and receive a 0-5 loss.
(Due to strict field time, all games must start on time. Teams who are unable to bring players on time was resulting in delays of game start times, which resulted in the league finishing beyond our reserved time and disrupting organizations after us. This rule is meant to keep a strict timeline, with official games being cancelled if a team isn't ready. Although a game might be listed as a forfeit, players are free to play for fun until the end of their scheduled game)
Any match that ends in a forfeit will be recorded as a 0-5 score, regardless of the goals recorded on the field.
Equipment
NEW
Metal cleats are not allowed. Molden/plastic or artificial turf cleats can be worn. Players found playing with metal cleats will be asked to step off the field and change their shoes.
(This is a rule mandated by Westchester Parks. Metal turf deteriorates the artificial turf much quicker than molded shoes)
MSL provides game balls for each match. Teams may bring additional balls. Players are recommended to wear shin guards but they are not required. Cleats are not allowed during league matches. Players will receive team shirts as part of their registration.
Game Length and Clock
Games consist of two 22-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime. Regular season ties may persist, while postseason games use penalty kicks.
Captains
Each team must have one or two team managers. Only team captains can interact with the referee should a dispute arise. The captain is responsible for team registration, handling any disputes on the field, relaying communications from the league to their team, and notifying the league of any guests participating in their match.
Players CANNOT approach the referee for any disputed calls on the field. Only team captains can approach the referee on the field during a match.
Referees/Sports Officials
Referees must be treated with respect on the field. Once a call has been made, the referees' decisions are final on the field. Any disrespectful or aggressive behavior towards the referee or any player will result in a red card and removal from the facility. Please treat our referees and each other with respect.
Scoring
Points on the leaderboard are awarded based on the following:
Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points
Forfeit = 0 Points with 0-5 Loss NEW
When teams are tied, goal differential will determine placement on the leaderboard.
Start of Play
Games start with a kick-off from the center mark, and can be passed behind the line. Goals cannot be scored directly from the kick-off.
Mid-Game Substitutions
NEW
Teams may substitute players freely throughout the match. Injured players require immediate replacements. Players can only enter/exit from their team's goal line at the same location.
(We found in previous leagues that teams would take a player off on one end of the field, and have another player come on the other side, providing a temporary advantage. We aim to minimize this by having players enter/exit from their side of the field at all times)
Slide Tackles
Slide tackles are not allowed on the field under any circumstances. If a player slides forward leading with their legs, they will be given a yellow card and a free kick given to the opposing team. Goalkeepers cannot slide forward with their legs.
Yellow/Red Cards
Yellow cards are issued for unsportsmanlike conduct, aggressive dissent, delaying restarts, and/or persistent fouling. When a yellow card is given, the player must leave the field for 2 minutes and the team must play a person down until the penalty time is up or the opposing team scores. The offending player or a substitute player can rejoin the match.
Red cards indicate ejection for serious fouls, violent conduct, denial of goal-scoring opportunities, offensive language, or a second yellow card. Ejected players must leave the premises and meet with the staff prior to playing another match. Players found playing another match without speaking to the MSL staff will be removed from the league with no refund given.
Free Kicks and Fouls
Free kicks will take place at the spot of the foul. All free kicks can be either direct or indirect.
Penalty shots are given at the discretion of the referee. Penalty shots are direct kicks. Any member of the team may take the free kick or penalty kick.
During a free kick, there will be 5 paces of separation between opposing players to ensure the team taking the free kick can get the ball out.
Kick-Ins and Throw-Ins
For outdoor soccer, throw-ins will take place along the line where the ball went out of bounds.
Out of Bounds
Out of bounds for outdoor soccer are the sidelines.
Goalkeeper
1. Goalkeepers have 10 seconds to distribute the ball otherwise a time delay penalty will enforced and a free kick given to the opposing team. Players cannot press the goalie during this time.
2. Goalkeepers can use their hands within the designated goalie box. They cannot touch the ball with their hands if the ball is passed by their teammate.
3. Goalkeepers cannot drop kick, slide tackle with their legs forward, or kick above their waist when attempting to save a ball.
4. Goalkeepers cannot be tackled when attempting a save or after a ball is secured.
NEW
5. Goalkeepers can kick the ball past half field during a goal kick.
(While we initially wanted to encourage more tactical play while preventing distant goal kicks from one side of the field to the other, we found the rule was being inconsistently applied, causing confusion)
Postseason Play/Playoffs
Depending on the number of teams registered, playoff games are not guaranteed for every season.
In the event of a tie after full time in a playoff match, penalty kicks will occur with the game being over after a team makes 3 goals and the other team misses.
No guests are permitted during playoffs. If a guest is found participating in a playoff match, the game will be forfeited by the team and disqualified.
Any player receiving a red card during a playoff match will not be able to participate in the following match with their team.
Weather
Games are played rain or shine. MSL will notify captains about severe weather conditions that might endanger play or travel. If ongoing games must halt due to weather, the league director will decide on restart or rescheduling.
Rescheduled games will be communicated via email to all captains, with potential shifts to other weekdays for makeups based on field availability.