SOCAL: This is the main SOCAL site where you can find information on player/coach discipline (Cautions and Send Offs), team standings, field locations, et cetera.
Referee Digital ID and Post-Game Reporting Guide (video 4:38)
Organizational Information
SOCAL is a youth competitive soccer organization.
Guided by their Founding Philosophy and Core Values, SOCAL’s purpose is to set the highest standards for soccer Clubs to develop players to their fullest potential – physically, emotionally, and ethically.
SOCAL has member clubs throughout Southern California from Ventura County down to San Diego County and all counties in between. Their member clubs offer a variety of different programs to their members.
Their Competitive programming has multiple levels which are “flight” based starting with Flight 4 and working up to Flight 1.
Flight 4 is the level between Recreational and Competitive. This flight only plays a fall season (with an optional separate spring season). They play 12 games and do not have to play SOCAL State Cup. There is a year-end Tournament of Champions for this level combined with Recreational teams. This event will be held December 4-5, 2021. These are games that are scheduled within the teams own community (similar to recreational scheduling) but with a little more of a competitive flare to the games.
Flight 3 is the lower level of Competitive. These games are geographically scheduled within your city/county. These teams play a 16-game season from the weekend after Labor Day until just before Thanksgiving and then they return to finish their season in Jan/Feb or March/April (depending on the age group and the high school schedule for the older players). SOCAL State Cup is optional for these teams.
Flight 2 is a more competitive level of play. These games are scheduled geographically and they play a 16-game season, just like Flight 3. These teams participate in the SOCAL State Cup. The college age players have the option to participate in our College Showcases too.
Flight 1 is the top level of competition. Within Flight 1 there are multiple options:
- Europa: These are flight 1 teams that want to play within their geographic area. They have minimal travel but they participate in SOCAL State Cup and can play in the College Showcase events.
- Champions: This division has promotion/relegation with the Discovery NPL. They play home/away and can play outside of their geographic area since they are vying for promotion into Discovery NPL. Teams participate in SOCAL State Cup and the College Showcase events.
- Discovery NPL: These teams will play their games on a Home and Away basis in 2022-2023. They all participate in SOCAL State Cup and they have one College Showcase included in their season with an optional second showcase.
US Club Player Credentials
- All players participating in SOCAL games MUST have US Club SOCCER PLAYER CARDS indicating the player participates in the SOCAL League. ECNL/ECRL player cards are no longer valid in the SOCAL League.
- If a team forgets their US Club Player passes for a SOCAL game the game can begin and can continue play if the player pass cards are at the game by half-time. If the player cards are not there by half-time then the game shall be abandoned. GotSport Digital, or photos of cards will be accepted. All managers and coaches are able to access Virtual ID’s in GotSport.
Supplemental Reporting for Red Cards and Game Incidents
This year SOCAL will be implementing a new supplemental reporting system for red cards and game incidents. However, we will continue with the same procedures and protocol as before and consistent with all other leagues. Respond accordingly if questioned by any team representatives.
The Referee must notify the Assignor and Member-at-Large by text immediately after the game, complete the two-page USSF Referee Report the same day, but no later than noon of the following day, and submit it via email to assignor@sbsra.org and member.at.large@sbsra.org.
If a spectator is sent off during your game, do your best to get their name by asking the coach or manager. If the coach says their name is “Bugs Bunny’ then report that name and SOCAL will work the rest out later. If you are not able to get the name of a spectator, don’t worry. Just report that the coach/manager would not disclose and SOCAL will get the name from the club. DO NOT TERMINATE THE MATCH!
Post-Game Procedures
- Both teams and referee sign all 3 copies of the Game Match Reports. Each team keeps a copy. Referee should keep a copy/take a picture of a completed Match Report.
- If there is only one paper copy, the referee keeps it and team representatives may take a picture of the report.
- Both teams should collect their player and coach cards from the referee.
- Best practice is to ask the team manager/coach, BEFORE THE MATCH, to please come over to collect the cards and sign the match reports a few minutes after the final whistle, allowing the referee time to complete the paperwork.