General EVENT Information:

SCHEDULES & SCORES:

THE CHALLENGE

In each Age Group, FIVE teams form a MAPS Flight and FIVE teams form a CHALLENGER Flight.

The teams in the CHALLENGER Flight each play a round-robin schedule against every team in the MAPS Flight (and obviously vice versa).

Five teams in the opposing flight means five seventy-minute games, one on Friday afternoon and two games on Saturday and on Sunday. (60 minute games at U11, and 50 minutes at U10.)

And if you're paying attention, that means that teams in a Flight don't ever play the other teams in their own Flight, they only play the teams in the opposing Flight. Which leads to the topic of...

THE AWARDS

First, a digression: Why is this called the MAPS CAPS CHALLENGE? A Cap, for those woefully deficient in soccer lore, is a designation for how many times a player has played for his national team, originating in England when initial participants in international matches were gifted with practical wool caps for their efforts. We pay homage to this bit of soccer tradition by awarding a CAP to the worthy players on teams distinguishing themselves in the Challenge.

Not just any CAP, but one the recipient would be honored to wear or just display from a ceremonial peg at home. A sponsored cap with the CJYSA MAPS logo embroidered on it, along with a second embroidered logo in back that proclaims proudly to the world "CHAMPION".  See photo below.

The team with the best record in each Flight wins Caps for its players. In each age group, a Cap gets awarded to the best record in the MAPS Flight and the best record in the CHALLENGER Flight.

Again, if you're paying attention here, that means teams never actually play the teams against which they are competing for Caps!  The caps are awarded for the best record against a common set of opponents.

MAPS CAPPED CHAMPIONS! NASA UNITED

(back of cap has  CHAMPIONS embroidered)

No, these Caps cannot be bought - they have to be earned!

THE CHALLENGE AGE GROUPS

Challenges are being scheduled in the following age groups:

U-10  -  U-16 BOYS

Several Age Groups are expected to have two separate Challenges contested, as interest in those groups appears to be exceptionally high (and the venues will support the additional teams). 

The Age Groups are based on the 2003-04 Seasonal Year. (Note that this is the last weekend of activity before the 2004-05 Seasonal Year begins.

THE MAPS TEAMS

MAPS teams in each participating Age Group are invited to indicate in writing (by email to CJYSAMAPS@aol.com ) their interest in participating in the Challenge. The Age Group Commissioner in conjunction with the Challenge Organizing Committee will select the five teams and two alternates for this year's Challenge.

In age groups that precede MAPS competition, clubs that have traditionally competed in older MAPS Flights can submit their younger teams to represent the Flights.

MAPS teams will be selected upon consideration of their performance in league play, State Cup and other major tournaments during the past year. Between MAPS teams of similar credentials, participation and performance in MAPS play will be given weighted consideration. Acceptances are not reviewable.

THE CHALLENGERS

All teams that are not currently, and have never played in MAPS are invited to apply for the Challenge.

Teams must indicate their interest in writing (by email to CJYSAMAPS@aol.com ). After initial screening, teams will be sent an application.

Selection will be based on quality of performance in State Cup and major tournaments, as well as local league play. Geographic diversity will influence acceptances: preference will go to quality teams from state associations not currently represented by existing MAPS teams.

ROLLING ACCEPTANCES

This is a true INVITATIONAL event. Consequently, acceptances are made on a rolling basis for qualifying teams, and accepted teams will be posted as they occur. All brackets are anticipated to be filled by late Spring.  Final deadline for applications is June 1.

THE COST

$595 for five games guaranteed.

Payment must be received within seven days of acceptance, or teams will be replaced by designated alternates.

FLIGHT STANDINGS

Points are awarded for results in each game, up to a maximum of Twelve points.

Seven points for a Win

Three points for a Tie

No points for a Loss

One point for a Shutout, regardless of outcome.

One point for each Goals Scored, up to a maximum of Four Points per game. 

Forfeit Wins are scored as 2-0 games.

GUEST PLAYERS

The event is being hosted by US Club Soccer.  Teams using USCS Player Passes may bring any 18 players to the event, provided they are properly carded and of the proper age.

Teams using USYS Player Passes may use up to five guest players, provided the Challenge roster does not exceed 18 players, including those carded to the team plus guests.

SCHEDULING GAMES & ENJOYING NEW JERSEY IN THE SUMMER

While we anticipate some serious and hard-fought soccer on the field, we are also aware that the age groups involved are still youngsters who deserve some summer fun and exposure to other experiences.

Consequently, we have created a schedule that consciously tries to permit players and teams to enjoy being in central New Jersey on a summer weekend.

Friday games will begin at 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 PM

Saturday games begin at 8:30, 9:55, 11:20, 12:45, 2:10, 3:35, 5:00 and 6:25.

Teams will have a one-game rest between games. Teams playing their second game of the day will always face an opponent also playing their second game, so conditions should be equitable.

Older age groups (U13-U16) will have their Saturday games scheduled earlier in the day, with a target conclusion for all these age group games by 2:00 PM. Hopefully, that will allow these teams some flexibility to enjoy a late afternoon/evening enjoying some alternative activity.

What to do in the area? The Jersey Shore and its boardwalk is about 45 minutes heading east from Fort Dix, and historic Center City Philadelphia is about 45 minutes heading west from Fort Dix. Six Flags / Great Adventure is less than half an hour away, and we should have reduced cost passes for interested teams. We hope to create a listing of these and other attractions on this website as time goes on.

You may want to be conscious of these options when determining in which direction from tournament venues to book your hotel. 

Sunday's schedule is mindful of teams seeking to get away, so game times move up thirty minutes with a first game of the day kickoff at 8:00 AM. All games on Sunday are expected to be over by 6:00 PM.