Majors Cup Qualifying Will Have New Format

Since its inception in 2009 the Majors Cup was instituted for two purposes. It is a tournament to showcase how a full MLS roster would compete against BSL clubs using the league's scoring system and the other foremost reason is to give all BSL clubs "hope" even when a playoff race is lost in the midst of a challenging year. For six year's the 2nd half of the BSL season served as a fresh start for the clubs at the bottom of the table. However, the current format was still flawed adding too much value to the last 11 weeks and still putting club owners in a position for early elimination from the qualifiers (sometimes as early as week 15). The league announced today its new Majors Cup Qualifiers format. BSL clubs will be ranked 1-12 from the previous season's final standings into two groups of 6 clubs each. Each BSL club will play a total of 5 head to head matches (1 match against each group opponent) with the top 2 clubs in each group winning qualification for the postseason tournament. The matches will be scheduled in weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 of the BSL season allowing time for roster adjustments/trades for struggling clubs to find a fix and salvage their season. Because these matches will be sharing dates with the regular season matches, the 5 MCQ matches ONLY will use a different scoring system. Players in all positions will have their "SOG's" (shots on goal) count in the boxscore (not their goal/assists). Goal Keepers will remain the same.

To view details on group rankings and the rankings schedule set-up view near the bottom of the updated "Rules" tab. 

Red Card Revised

There will be something different when the players hit the pitch in 2015. Unlike years past if a player who has already scored is red carded, he will not have his point or points taken away. Instead, his score will stay and will continue to count in the boxscore of that match.

Inactive Owners Face Stiffer Penalties

Owners who are accustomed to lineup failures will now have to pay a bigger penalty. In addition to the previous rules where a club pays the cost for a late lineup with their boxscore and budget earnings. Starting in 2015, if a BSL club has 3 missed weeks (late lineup during a match week in progress does not count) they will be subtracted $10 as a budget penalty. If it grows to 5 missed weeks the penalty increases to an additional $10 penalty and the BSL club will fall to last in the next season draft order. “Clubs who take an early offseason when out of contention or planning for a higher draft pick by falling down the standings will think twice with the addition of this rule. The integrity of the post season races depends on participation” -Commissioner.

Offseason Club Deadlines

The deadline to confirm your return is February 6, 2015.  In addition to inheriting $10 for your reservation for your acquistion budget, returning clubs are allowed the opportunity to protect up to 4 players from their previous roster. See the rules tab for details.

The deadline for BSL clubs to announce their Designated Players and Retention Player picks is February 18, 2015.  Unprotected players will be eligible for selection in the expansion draft that will follow. The BSL draft will begin on February 20.