FAQs

Any questions? View Player FAQs and Manager FAQs below!

Still didn't find the answer to your question? Please contact us at pwslboard@pwsl.org.

How do I join the league?

If you are a team manager looking to register a team, click here.

If you are an individual player looking to join the league, click here.

Why can’t I just show up at a game and play?

The advantage of playing league-organized versus pick-up style games is the guarantee of a field, at a specified time, with referees, and an opponent. Reserving fields and contracting referees both require the league to carry insurance. The league’s insurance requires that every player be properly registered and agree to a waiver.

If you are not registered with our league and have not met the requirements set out in PWSL’s Policies (available on pwsl.org), you cannot play in PWSL games. If you are unsure whether you are an Eligible player for the current season, please contact your Team Manager. A player can register online before the start of a game, and play in that game, provided they have successfully completed the registration and can show proof of ID at the game (please see league policies for details, which are available under "about").

Why doesn’t the League assign players to existing teams?

PWSL is a not-for-profit league, run by and for players. Our Board of Directors and Team Managers are volunteers who give their time to the league/teams simply because they enjoy playing soccer!

The league is structured so that games and seasons are organized by the Board, and individual teams are organized by a Team Manager. As such, individual teams have 100% control over their rosters. Team Managers have discretion to recruit based on skill level, availability, fit with the team, etc.

How are Team Managers chosen?

With the exception of any free agent team, each team generally selects their own Team Manager(s). If no one is willing to step into this role and organize the team, it naturally dissolves.

I left my information under “Players Looking for Teams,” but no one has called me. Why not? What should I do?

Team Managers are responsible for recruiting players to their roster - it could be no teams need players, or that they are looking for specific skill/position criteria that does not match the information you provided.

I signed up for the “Sub Roster”, but no one has called me. Why not? What should I do?

Team Managers will only contact players on the sub roster if they need additional players for a specific game. It could be that no teams need players, or that they are looking for specific skill/position criteria that does not match the information you provided.

Does the League put together new (“free agent”) teams?

Yes, some seasons we do. Typically we will do this at the beginning of a season when we have an uneven number of teams, or, if we have a large pool of interested players who have not found a team.

What days are games played?

Sundays, for all three seasons (Spring Jan-May, Summer June-July, Fall Sep-Dec).

Where are games played?

For current fields used, please see “PDF Schedule” under "about."

What time are games played?

Games start at 9a, 11a, 1p, and 3p (each game is 90 minutes).

What is the game format/length?

11 v 11, two 45-minute halves, officiated by a crew of up to 1-3 professional referees.

Are games played on turf or grass?

All PWSL games are currently played on synthetic turf fields.

Do teams typically practice? Will my team practice?

Each team is managed by it own manager and not the league, therefore this is 100% up to each team; the League is not notified.

How much is it to join the league?

League fees are paid as a team registration fee - each team makes one payment to the league for each season. For more information on team credits and fines, please see the league policies.

As rosters are determined by Team Managers, it is up to them to collect fees from individual players. Depending on the number of players on each team, the individual player cost can vary from team to team (rosters are typically 18-23 people).

At the current team registration cost, between $100 and $150/player is a fair guess - however, Team Managers have the discretion to set individual player fees (which may include an additional cost for jerseys, team equipment, bond/fines, etc.).

What are the skill levels of the divisions?

Divisions are broken up into two groups - “open” (18+) and “aged” (30+ and/or 40+).

The number of divisions within “open” varies by the number and skill level of the teams registered that season (we’ve had as few as 2 and as many as 4). Division 1 will always be the most competitive/skilled teams, and go on down from there.

Aged teams do not necessarily mean players are less competitive and certainly not less skilled; it simply means there is a minimum age requirement (see the league policies for more info, which are available on the league’s web site). It can be the case that a Division 2 or 3 team in “open” 18+ is not as competitive as a 30+ team or 40+ team.

Generally, players in Division 1 have played competitive soccer at some point, whether it was club or college. However, it is not a requirement, and does not mean that players in lower divisions have not played at this level.

Which of the following changes to roster management are included in the policy update?

All of the above:

Maximum roster size is now 25 players;

Pre-populated game rosters not printed using the current week's update will result in team fines;

Countersignature by the opposing team's manager is required, before the second half, for borrowed players.

Is a player who registered to my team AFTER the weekly add/drop deadline eligible to play in the game if she is not pre-printed on the roster?

Yes, if: she is properly self-registered to the league AND is hand-written in as a BORROWED player.

How can I add players to my roster?

Ask players - even if they have played in the league before - to quickly fill out the registration link. Added bonus: waivers and name/contact changes will all be updated!

How can I drop players from my roster?

Email the registrar and she'll do all the work for you. (Seriously for dropped players, she will. :))

How many players can I borrow per game?

7; the first FOUR are free ($0), but EACH additional player (after the initial 4) up to 7 will trigger a team fine of $15/player ($45 max).

What are the highlights of changes to the fine table?

All of the above:

Use of incorrect week's roster - $25;

Exceeded number of allowable borrowed players - $15/player .

Which of the following ID formats can be used for player check in?

A government issued ID showing the date of birth (or, a clear digital or paper color copy).