WINTER 2025
Copa Athletic is Utah’s first youth tournament built in the spirit of The Soccer Tournament (TST) - a format designed to push players and coaches beyond the ordinary. Plus, the winner of each age group will receive a CASH PRIZE!
Played 5v5 with goalkeepers, the game is faster, more intense, and puts every player under the spotlight. Unlike traditional tournaments, every match ends with a 'Final Score Time' - meaning the whistle doesn’t blow until someone scores the winning goal. No ties, no waiting for penalties, just pure competition where every touch, decision, and goal matters.
Launching in Winter 2025, Copa Athletic will set a new standard for what a youth soccer event can be: demanding, high-stakes, and unforgettable.
General Info
Copa Athletic is open to both boys and girls teams born 2012–2016.
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All games will be played indoors on a turf field with no walls. The location of the facility is in Draper, Utah.
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Each age group is capped at 8 teams, ensuring a competitive yet exclusive environment where every match matters.
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Registration is set at $400 per team, which includes entry into group play and the chance to advance to the knockout rounds.
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Winners of each age group will win a cash prize of $1000.
Spots are limited and will fill quickly - secure your team’s place before divisions close.
Format & Rules
Game Format
Copa Athletic is played 5v5 — four field players plus a goalkeeper — with rosters capped at 10 players. Teams need at least four players to start the game, and substitutions are rolling and unlimited with referee approval. Each match runs 10 minutes with a running clock and no halftime.
Final Score Time (FST)
When regulation ends, the game doesn’t stop. Instead, it enters Final Score Time. The target score is set as the leading team’s score plus one. First team to reach that score wins.
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Every two minutes, each team removes one player until a FST is reached..
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Games can shrink all the way to 1v1, using an old MLS-style shootout: one player starts at half field with five seconds to beat the keeper.
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If a goal still isn’t scored within 10 minutes of Final Score Time, the match proceeds with shootouts until the target score is reached.
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The moment a team hits the target score, the match ends.
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Fouls & Discipline
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No slide tackles (automatic direct free kick).
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All fouls are direct. No offsides.
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Yellow card = 2-minute penalty (team plays short).
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Red card = ejection and 2-minute penalty before replacement allowed.
Restarts
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All restarts must be taken within 5 seconds.
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Throw-ins are replaced by dribble-ins from the sideline.
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Goal kicks restart from the goal line and must leave the penalty area.
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Corner kicks are direct.
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Goalkeeper Rules
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GK may use hands only inside the box.
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No punting allowed. Distribution must be by throw or kick.
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Back-pass rule applies (no deliberate hand passes to GK).
Tournament Format
Teams are grouped (4–7 per group) and play round-robin in the group stage. Top teams advance to single elimination knockouts. Tiebreakers are decided by head-to-head, goal differential, goals scored, and finally penalty shootouts if necessary.
Eligibility
Divisions are separated by birth year (2012–2016) for boys and girls). Players may play up, but never down. All teams must check in with valid player passes or birth certificates.
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Uniforms & Equipment
Matching uniforms are required; pinnies will be provided for conflicts. Shin guards are mandatory. Turf shoes or cleats are recommended.
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