FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Where's my team's schedule?
A: Visit your team's division page and the schedule is below the table. To show only your own team's games, start typing your team name into the search field.
Q: What happens when there is inclement weather?
A: We will text and email captains at least 2 hours before kickoff when a game is canceled due to weather conditions. We play rain or shine, so only flooding, lightening, or snow can potentially cancel a game. This is very rare, so be prepared to play no matter what the forecast.
Q: What kind of footwear should I wear to the game?
A: All the fields on which we play are field turf, so molded cleats or turf shoes are recommended. Soccer flats work as well, but they might be slippery, especially when the fields are wet. Metal cleats are not permitted in any of our divisions.
Q: Are shin guards required?
A: Yes.
Q: What should we bring to our game? What should we know before heading to the fields?
A: Dress for the weather--it's probably windy and colder than you think. Make sure your team has their shirts, or at least wears the same color. Bring something to drink (not all fields have water fountains). And you might want to go the bathroom before you leave for your game. Not all fields in NYC have public restrooms.
Q: Should we bring a ball to the game?
A: Our referees will bring balls to our 8v8 and 7v7 leagues, but we ask teams to bring at least one ball (just in case we lose our balls, and for warming up). In our 11v11 leagues, each team captain is required to provide two game balls each week.
Q: Does the league have a mailing list?
A: The best way for us to stay in touch with you is by registering to play. It's free to register.
Q: Does the league have insurance?
A: Like any small business, we have liability insurance. This is not the same as health insurance, and it is highly recommended that players get health insurance if they plan to play any sport. Any player who steps onto the pitch at one of our games is agreeing to play under the terms of our player waiver.
Q: What's the level of play like?
A: There are videos of our games on our YouTube Channel. That's a great place to check out our league. There's video of our 11v11 men's league (Division 1 and Division 2), our 8v8 Men's League, and our Coed League.
Q: Where can I learn more about the league?
A: We're on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and one time we accidentally posted on Google+.
Q: When will my team be filmed for the Game of the Week and/or photographed?
A: We try to film and photograph every team at least one time each season. There are icons on the fixture list that indicate filmed (🎥 ) and photographed (📷 ) games. A few days after your game, the photos can be found here and the videos can be found here.
Q: Can we have the video of our entire game after you film us? We don't need it edited or anything.
A: If you want the video of your entire game, please let us know BEFORE the game. The filming is done for the purpose of making a highlight video, so the full video is not great when viewed without editing. Contact us about this before the game and we can discuss pricing for full-game videos. The highlight reels we do every week are obviously a free service we do for every team.
Q: Can you send me the high quality versions of the photographs the league took of our team?
A: We upload the high quality photos to our Facebook page. If you want any of the photos for your own use, view it on Facebook, then click "Options" below the photo and select "Download". But please tag and/or credit the league if you use the photo on social media.
Q: I think the stats are incorrect on our Division's page. Can you fix them?
A: We update stats once per week (typically on Fridays), so it might be that we haven't updated them yet. But if you truly believe an error has been made, drop Todd a note.
Q: What's up with these free agents on your website? How do we get one on our team? And how much do you know about them?
A: We get about 50 people registering per week on our website. When someone who claims to be experienced (college-level, competitive club soccer, etc) registers and expresses real interest in joining the league, we add them to the free agent page. We are not able to vet them all (there are too many). Those who are "vetted" have been seen by the league/our teams and we have feedback about their ability. If you are a captain and would like to check someone out, email Todd for an introduction. We try to limit teams to 2-3 players at one time.
Q: How do I get on the free agent list as a player?
A: If you're a player and want to get on the list, register and give us as much information as possible. The more we know about you, the better we can help you find a team. If you express interest in our competitive 11v11 divisions, you should have the ability to play on any weeknight (Mon, Tues, Wed, or Thurs) and you should have the ability to play games at Pier 40, Randall's Island, and Roosevelt Island. And you should have the ability to pay a team fee when you join (typically it costs $120-$150 per season).
Q: Can you supply us with a goalkeeper?
A: With adequate notice, we can sometimes get you a substitute keeper for a game, but there's no guarantee we can help. Once in a while, we catch a keeper in the wild and let a team adopt him or her. Feel free to email todd@gothamsoccer.com and ask. But your best bet is showing up to the fields early and attempting to recruit someone from a previous game or someone kicking around at the pitch.
Q: My team is short on players this week. What do I do?
A: Email todd@gothamsoccer.com the day BEFORE the game and he'll do his best to help you find subs. Please do NOT wait until the day of the game to ask for help as it's much more difficult. Remember that forfeits are NOT acceptable in Gotham Soccer League as they rob two paying teams of a game.
Q: If I sign up to play as an individual, am I going to be put on a team with all beginners?
A: No. Our league tends to attract experienced players, and our teams made up of free agents are almost always competitive in the league. We do our best to form balanced teams and leagues in all our divisions.
Q: I'd love to get my kid into your league. What should I do?
A: If your kid is under 18, I'm afraid we can't help you at this time. Gotham Soccer League is currently an adult league. But if your son or daughter is 18 or older, email todd@gothamsoccer.com and he'll do his best to find them some soccer.
Q: My team can't play a game on a particular date. What should we do?
A: If you know before the season that a certain day won't work for your team, let us know as soon as you sign up and we'll do our best to avoid that day. But once the schedule is made, this isn't possible. So let us know ahead of time.
Q: I think my team needs to forfeit tonight. What should I do?
A: "Forfeit" is not in our vocabulary. Field time in NYC is extremely valuable, and forfeits rob your opponent of a game they are paying to play. So forfeits are not an option. Let us know how many players you need to field a team (give us 24 hours notice if possible) and we will help you out. And if you're in our 11v11 divisions, keep in mind that a forfeit results in the surrender of your forfeit bond (see our Rules section). Teams that forfeit games may not be invited to return the following season.
Q: How do I play in the All-Star Game?
A: When the league has an extra field time at the end of the season and some funds set aside, we host an All-Star Game. Currently we only have this game for our 11v11 players. Captains are asked to nominate their best players, and the league invites players based on those recommendations.
Q: How does my team get into the Champions League NYC tournament?
A: If your team has won a title in the last 12 months (for example, Fall 2015 through Summer 2016 to qualify for the 2016 tournament), email todd@gothamsoccer.com to get on the list. If we get enough league champions to have the tournament, we will contact you with details.
Q: My band has a song that would be great for your Game of the Week videos. What do I do?
A: Email todd@gothamsoccer.com with an MP3 or a link and introduce yourself. We love helping out bands with a few hundred new listeners.
Q: The season has already started. Can you get me onto a team?
A: Teams are sometimes looking to add players, and they frequently need subs. Email todd@gothamsoccer.com if you are interested in playing and he will do his best to help you. Also be sure to fill out the registration form to make sure we know a little about your background and preferences.
Q: I have a question that isn't answered here.
A: Email todd@gothamsoccer.com and he'll get back to you within 24 hours.