The Maryland League Spring 25 Match Regulations are designed to promote fair play, prioritize safety, and ensure seamless league operations. These fine-tuned rules uphold the integrity of the competition while fostering a culture of respect, sportsmanship, and professionalism both on and off the field. By strictly adhering to these regulations, teams and officials contribute to delivering an engaging and high-quality matchday experience for players, coaches, and spectators alike.
Match Length
2 x 45-minute halves plus stoppage time.
15-minute half-time break.
Match Ball
Match balls must be Size 5 and of Fifa Quality Pro standard.
Player Eligibility
All rostered players must complete player registration within the transfer/registration window to be eligible to play on matchday.
If a team is found to have fielded an ineligible player, the match will be awarded to the opposition, and the offending team may face additional penalties as decided by the league committee.
Matchday Squad
Minimum of six (6) field players and one (1) GK – seven (7) players total.
Maximum of twenty-two (22) players:
- Eleven (11) on-field players
- Eleven (11) on the bench
Substitutions
Teams are allowed eleven (11) substitutions during the match but can only use five (5) stoppages (substitution opportunities) to do so.
Substitution Opportunities
Teams have a limit of five (5) substitution opportunities per match.
Substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play.
Half-time, water breaks, and cooling periods are considered free stoppages and can be used to make substitutions without reducing the number of substitution opportunities a team has remaining. Substituting in the same stoppage as the opposition team reduces the remaining stoppages a team has by one (1).
Substitution Protocol
The incoming player must stand at the half line to be considered eligible by the officials to stop the play and be substituted on.
The substituted player must leave the playing field before the incoming substitute can cross the line and enter the pitch.
❗️ Once a player is substituted, they are not allowed to re-enter the game (no re-entry).
Additional Concussion Substitution
An extra substitution is granted to a team if a player is suspected of having a concussion. This substitution does not count towards a team’s remaining stoppages (substitution opportunities) nor total substitutions.
Player Equipment
All players must wear shin guards.
Potentially dangerous items such as jewelry are strictly forbidden on the pitch.
Each team must have a captain in the field of play at all times. The captain must wear an armband to identify this player to the officials.
Points Allocation
Win
The winner of a league match receives three (3) points.
Draw
If the score is tied at full time, one (1) point is awarded to both teams.
Loss
The loser receives zero (0) points.
Recording Results and Stat-Keeping
Results will be recorded in the format of W-D-L (Wins-Draws-Losses) and will be reflected and updated on the website.
Match Abandonment
If a match is abandoned, the League Committee will decide the outcome based on the circumstances and evidence leading to the abandonment.
Sorting Order for League Position
- Points
- Goal Difference
- Goals Scored
- Number of wins
- Head-to-head results
Disciplinary Rules
Maryland League fines clubs for various infractions, such as red card dismissals, unsportsmanlike behavior, forfeits, and other disciplinary issues.
Red Card Offense – $50, to be paid by the club.
