El Paso Soccer – NSA League Handbook

Overview
Mission Statement
Divisions & Structure
Season Timing
Club Licensing Requirements
Team & Player Requirements
Coaching Standards
Transfer Policy
Match Rules
Weather & Game Day Protocol
Points System
Advancement & Season Playoffs
Code of Ethics
Review & Disciplinary Process
Media & Branding

Overview

El Paso Soccer, under the governance of the National Soccer Alliance (NSA), serves as a structured, competitive environment for adult soccer in the United States. Our program provides clear pathways for player development, club growth, and competitive excellence. This handbook outlines the foundational principles, expectations, and rules that guide participation in NSA-sanctioned leagues, ensuring consistency, professionalism, and fairness across all divisions. Whether you’re a player, coach, manager, or official, this document provides the critical framework to help navigate league operations and contribute to a successful season.

El Paso Soccer operates under the guidelines outlined by the National Soccer Alliance (NSA).

National Soccer Alliance (NSA)

Mission Statement

Purpose

The guiding vision behind everything we do — this section outlines the core purpose and ambition of the National Soccer Federation.

Federation Goals

The National Soccer Alliance (NSA) exists to unify, elevate, and professionalize competitive adult soccer across the United States. Our mission is to develop talent, promote club excellence, and raise the standard of American soccer by offering structured competition, elite pathways, and community-driven engagement — all under one national federation.

Divisions & Structure

League Tiers

Premier Division—Elite-tier competitive clubs
Division 1—Developmental and rising talent tier

Competitive Format

Regular Season: Round-robin format
Top 4 teams per division advance to NSA Championship Final**

Season Timing

Seasonal Breakdown

Winter Kickoff: January – March
Spring Season: April – June
Summer Championship: July – September
Fall Training: October – December

Registration Timeline

Registration Deadline: 15 days before the end of the current season

Club Licensing Requirements

Facility Designation

Designated home field/park. It can be a public or city field/park but must be the only team to represent the home field/park.

Administrative Readiness

Manager & captain contacts
Branded uniforms & roster of 15+
Public presence (site/social)
Adherence to NSA operational deadlines

Team & Player Requirements

Roster Composition

Roster size: 15–25 players
Manager & Team Captain required

Eligibility & Conduct

Players must be 18+ and have an active El Paso Soccer player registration
Dual-league play must be approved
Transfers are only allowed during official windows
Teams are responsible for ensuring that all participating players and teams meet the expectations for sportsmanship, attendance, and conduct.
Roster size: 15–25 players
Manager & Team Captain required

Coaching Standards

Qualifications

A dedicated, certified, or experienced coach

Leadership Expectations

NSA may offer coaching workshops
Coaches lead with professionalism and discipline

Transfer Policy

Window & Process

Transfer window opens before season and closes after Week 2
Transfers require a digital form & manager approval
One-game hold period

Poaching Policy

Poaching discouraged; repeated violations lead to a permanent ban

Match Rules

Gameplay Format

Match length: 2×45 minutes
5 substitutions max, 3 windows

Matchday Protocol

30-minute pre-game arrival required
7+ goal mercy rule can trigger early match end
Uniform compliance is mandatory

Weather & Game Day Protocol

Conditions for Play

Games continue in light rain
Delayed/cancelled for lightning, flooding, or dust storm

Communication & Rescheduling

All cancellations sent via the NSA app/website/email
Make-ups scheduled within 10 days

Points System

Match Points

Win = 3 pts, Draw = 1 pt, Loss = 0 pts, Forfeit = -1 pt

Tie-Breakers

Goal Differential > Goals Scored > Head-to-Head > Disciplinary Record > Coin Toss

Advancement & Season Playoffs

Playoff Structure

The top 4 teams from each division advance to a single-elimination playoff
Semifinal winners advance to the NSA Championship Final

Promotion, Relegation & Awards

Division 1: Top team promoted to Premier Division, provided all licensing standards are met
Premier: The lowest-ranked team is subject to review and may be relegated to Division 1 based on seasonal performance and disciplinary record
Division 1: Teams that finish in the bottom 2 of their conference may lose league standing or be placed on performance probation, requiring league approval to re-enter the next season
Awards include MVP, Golden Boot, Best XI, and Coach of the Season
Player stats from all regular-season matches contribute to advancement eligibility and all-star selection

Code of Ethics

Principles

Compete with integrity and respect
Support a safe, inclusive environment

Team Accountability

Coaches/captains are team leaders in behavior
Disciplinary action may include suspensions or bans

Review & Disciplinary Process

Complaint Process

Complaints must be submitted within 48 hours
NSA Disciplinary Committee reviews disputes

Disciplinary Enforcement

Red card = automatic review, minimum 1-match ban
3 yellow cards = 1-match suspension
Referee performance is monitored via captain ratings
Players or teams under review may be temporarily suspended from matchday participation

Sponsorship

Requirements & Approval

All team and club sponsorships must be approved by the National Soccer Alliance before public announcement or jersey placement.
Sponsors must align with the values and integrity of the NSA.
Any league-wide or high-visibility sponsor may be subject to additional vetting and agreement.
Unapproved sponsors may result in fines or disqualification from promotional content.