CRUSA Strada

U14-U19 IM Soccer

We are thrilled to bring to our CRUSA Families a major format change within our Intramural Program. Designed specifically for our U14 through U19 divisions, let us introduce you to CRUSA Strada!

Why the need to introduce a new format of intramural soccer?

After numerous discussions, we chose to end our 15-year partnership with another local soccer club. Though the reasons varied, CRUSA families and coaches no longer wished to continue with that particular model. We were now tasked with figuring out what would be next for our older intramural players.

Where did the idea for the new format come from?

The format for CRUSA Strada borrows heavily from The Soccer Tournament. Also known as TST, the concept was launched in 2023 and has seen its popularity skyrocket due to coverage by ESPN and the Pat McAfee Show.

Is this a gimmick or still the game of soccer?

This is most definitely soccer! In fact, US Soccer recently announced a partnership with TST. Their shared goal is to utilize alternative soccer formats to promote lifelong participation and love of the sport. CRUSA Strada will showcase the joy found within recreational soccer versus the more structured tiers of travel. It will celebrate the pick-up atmosphere of playing with and against friends. There will be music blaring for every game. The skills learned are the same fundamental ones reinforced at every level and the format mimics how pros scrimmage.

When and where will CRUSA Strada games be played?

All games to be held at Richboro Middle School Fields*
Every game on Saturday*
Games times will be as follows...
- U14 Girls will have a rotating schedule with games at either 9:30am or 10:30am
- U14 Boys will have a rotating schedule with games at either 11:30am or 12:30pm
- U19 Girls will play at 1:30pm
- U19 Boys will play at 2:30pm

What rules will CRUSA Strada follow?

Games to be played on 9v9 fields with 9v9 goals
Player formation is 7v7
Rolling substitutions
- Same as futsal...you don't need to wait for a stoppage of play and ask the ref to sub
No offsides
No throw-ins
- Players will kick the ball in from the sidelines
- Players kicking the ball in may not score on a direct kick into the goal
- Defending team must give the attacking team space (about 5 yards) to pass the ball back in
No punting
No slide tackles
Heading is allowed
All other rules and fouls of soccer will apply
20 minute halves for regulation play
2.5 minute halftime
2.5 minute rest after regulation
ELAM Ending

Wait!!! What the @!#?@! is an ELAM Ending?

After the end of the second half, a target goal is established
That target goal is +1 goal more than the highest goal count
- One example, if a team is winning 3 to 1, the target score would be 4
- Another example, if both teams are tied 1 to 1, the target score would be 2
First team to reach the target goal wins
A coin toss will determine who taps first
Losing team will make the call in the air
If game is tied, the designated away team that made the call to start the game will make the call again
Teams have 10 minutes to reach the target score
After the first 2 minutes, if the target score hasn't been reached 2 players from each team come off
4 minutes into the ending...another 2 players come off
6 minutes into the ending...1 player and the goalie come off
Due to time constraints, if the target goal is not met within the remaining time the game will end as is

Any other rules to know about?

Games will be played with size 5 soccer ball
As we require at any other age, to be eligible to play on game days a player must have...
- Soccer cleats (not baseball or football) on
- Shin guards tucked in socks
- No earrings or any other jewelry
- No bandages used to cover earrings

Adjustments sound great. Will competitive balance be one such area of focus?

Competitive balance is extremely important to us. Be aware that we may move kids around after the third week if teams are lopsided. This will involve game day player swaps with only those scheduled for concurrent times. We won’t change players from different game times. We also won't mess with a player’s practice schedule. The team and coach assigned at the start of the season will be who a player practices with throughout. In the future we may look to run clinics as opposed to individual practices held by coaches. We just aren't there yet.

What’s with the asterisk (*) regarding the games at RMS and on Saturdays?

Oh…that’s our way of announcing Strada @ South! We reserved the turf field at CR South on 10/17 and 10/24 from 6 to 9 pm. We are going to have the kids play their Week #7 games on those Friday nights...unless we lose the turf due to high school playoffs. More info and game times will be shared by Week #5 at the latest.

Was this new format really the best CRUSA could come up with?

Please understand that the changes are happening because we just don't have many options at the older ages to play 11v11. It was either we keep things in-house with a coed format or join an intramural league set up as travel soccer with some games up to an hour away and fluctuating day/times. We had to think outside the box otherwise we, like most of the clubs in the area, would have to fold our older divisions.

Is there anything else to mention regarding CRUSA Strada?

We are trying to build something fun within intramural soccer that also allows the players to build and refine the skills necessary to play any other version of the game. Think of the Savannah Bananas…they play an actual competitive baseball game while adding a very entertaining spin. We truly believe that CRUSA Strada will be something similar within our realm of soccer. We hope you share that belief and can’t wait to see all those involved at the fields.

Club Sponsors

CONTACT

Phone: 267-988-4053
Fax: 267-988-4029
Email: admin@crusa.net

CRUSA President
crusapresident@crusa.net

Social Media Submissions
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Office

95 Almshouse Road
Suite 104
Richboro, PA 18954

HOURS

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Wednesday: 3PM - 8:00PM
Closed: Saturday and Sunday