All athletes traveling to Alabama to play USC teams must acknowledge and sign the ASA Communicable Disease waiver.  USC and ASA are not responsible for players who do not voluntarily sign this waiver.

U.S. Soccer Return to Play Guidelines will occur in five phases.  

A full description of the phased return plan can be found by clicking on the picture to the left. 

All visiting teams are expected to comply with the following before playing USC:

• All players, coaches, and families will complete the self health check prior to coming to the fields and will answer NO to all the questions before arrival.
• All players, coaches, and families will comply with the State of AL mask ordinance requiring masks when six feet social distancing between other households can't be kept.  Masks are recommended for all to and from the parking lot. 
• Any teams coming in from out of state will sign the ASA COVID-19 waiver prior to the game (found above).
• All Visiting teams will know where to sit in compliance with the ASA recommended field layout for the season.  (Diagram included)

In accordance with the current Madison County and state of Alabama mask ordinance in place until March 3, 2021:

• All players should wear a mask to and from the field when social distancing with someone from another household cannot be maintained.  
• All parents and spectators should wear a mask in close conversation when 6 feet separation cannot be maintained or groups are bigger than 10 from different households.
• Athletes are not required to wear a mask during athletic training, but may wear one based on personal comfort level.  

ORDER OF THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER SUSPENDING CERTAIN PUBLIC GATHERINGS DUE TO RISK OF INFECTION BY COVID-19 (APPLICABLE STATEWIDE) AMENDED JULY 29, 2020
11. Athletic activities. Effective May 22, 2020, at 5:00 P.M., persons attending or participating in athletic activities shall comply with the following rules:

• a. Permitted team activities. From May 22, 2020, at 5:00 P.M., until June 14, 2020, participation in team athletic activities is limited to practices that involve conditioning, skill drills, and similar activities, subject to the rules of this paragraph. Beginning June 15, 2020, participation in team athletic activities may proceed in any respect subject to the rules of this paragraph.
• b. Social distancing. (i) Players, coaches, officials, and spectators shall not congregate within 6 feet of a person from another household except to the extent necessary—and only to the extent necessary—for players, coaches, and officials to directly participate in the athletic activity. (ii) Players, coaches, officials, and spectators shall refrain from high fives, handshakes, and other physical contact except to the extent necessary—and only 8 to the extent necessary—for players, coaches, and officials to directly participate in the athletic activity.
• c. Facial coverings. Unless an exception to paragraph 2’s facial-covering requirement would apply, players, coaches, officials, and spectators shall wear a mask or other facial covering that covers his or her nostrils and mouth at all times while within six feet of a person from another household except when a player or official is directly participating in the athletic activity.
• d. Sanitation. Players, coaches, and officials shall not share water coolers, drinking stations, water bottles, cups, or other drinking devices. Organizers of athletic activities shall take reasonable steps, where practicable, to regularly disinfect frequently used items and surfaces. For purposes of this paragraph, “athletic activities” means “sports that involve interaction with another person of closer than six feet” and “activities that require use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment.” In addition to complying with the requirements of this paragraph, persons attending or participating in athletic activities are strongly encouraged to comply with any guidelines adopted by the relevant governing organization, if one exists for the athletic activity in question, to the extent those guidelines are consistent with the requirements of this paragraph.

According to ASA, teams will be allowed to train and play in games

• Masks are REQUIRED for anyone not directly involved in soccer activity/play-including coaches, spectators, players on the bench, injured players, etc.
• Teams will be allowed to play in games
  • Communicable Disease waivers must be signed by all participants in all ASA sanctioned activity including tournaments and friendlies
  • Social Distancing between different households is REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES along the sidelines for games
• Travel Permits will be granted if the location you are  traveling to allows sports activities by their governance and USYS state association

USC teams training and playing games at Merrimack Turf Fields 13-14 must enter and leave through the east parking lot closest to Field 14.  (please refer to the tryouts visual for more details). 

Please do not park on the Field 11/12 side and walk through multiple fields to get to 13 and 14.   

Teams training at Merrimack Soccer Complex grass fields on Triana Blvd. should enter and exit through the North parking lot side entrance closest to Field 6. 

SELF REPORTING
If you answer YES to any of the following questions, YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEND ANY USC TRYOUT, PRACTICE, GAME, or EVENT until further notice:

1. Is your temperature over 100 degrees?  DO NOT ATTEND.

2. Have you had a temperature over 100 degrees in the last 48 hours? DO NOT ATTEND.

3. Have you knowingly been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?  DO NOT ATTEND. 

4. Do you have a cough, shortness of breath, or a sore throat?  DO NOT ATTEND.  

5. New loss of taste or smell? DO NOT ATTEND. 

6. Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?  DO NOT ATTEND.

7. Are you or someone in the same household as you awaiting the results from a COVID-19 test for any reason even if you or the person tested are currently asymptomatic?  DO NOT ATTEND. 

As games begin this weekend against opponents there are a few things you need to be aware of from a pre-planning standpoint.  

ASA is recommending the following set up for games for the season.  

https://www.alsoccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fall-2020-Game-Day-Field-COVID.pdf

Managers will coordinate with players and families, AND their opponent which half the USC team and parents will sit on and which half will be for the visitors.  This goes for all games, state league, in house and friendlies.  

Risk management reminders for games:
- NO team benches, despite what the diagram shows.  Each player needs to bring their own chair to spread out and have their own space.  Players are encouraged to bring their own large umbrella for shade. 

- Team Captains (and refs) must wear a mask for coin toss.  Only the referee will touch the coin. (ASA)

- Each player needs a mask for the "bench" when social distancing cannot be implemented (AL Dept of Health).  We realize there are other things going on during a game, but please remind players to keep them on while they are not actively participating. 

- Spectators are asked to wear a mask the entire game no matter spacing (ASA), however, the state order says "when 6 feet social distancing between households can't be kept."  So, masks are required per the state order if people are sitting closer than 6 feet on the sideline, but strongly encouraged at all times. 

United Soccer Club will implement the US Soccer, ASA, and USYS mitigation strategies outlined in several Return to Play guidelines set forth by governing bodies and by the state of Alabama.   Specific questions should be directed to info@unitedsoccerclub.org. 

*Exposure is defined by the CDC as close contact with a positive COVID-19 individual, within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes.  

POLICIES:
Any athlete, parent, coach, or staff member who has knowingly been exposed to COVID-19 should not come to the fields for a minimum of 10 days.  “When in doubt, please sit out.”

Any athlete, parent, coach, or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 should not come to the fields for a minimum of 10 days AND when the infected person has been symptom free for a minimum of 48 hours. 

All participants will be required to sign the ASA COVID-19/Communicable Disease waiver prior to any participation. 

CLUB
If any athlete or coach tests positive for COVID-19 or has an immediate family member in the same household test positive, the club will immediately notify the team members and any other staff the coach or athlete has come into contact with since being exposed.  Exposed coaches and athletes will quarantine based on CDC & AL Dept. of Health recommendations at the time of exposure.  All PHI will be kept confidential.    

COACHES: 
Any Coach who tests positive for COVID-19 or has an immediate family member test positive in the same household will notify the DOC immediately.   Any coach who tests positive or has an immediate family member test positive will quarantine as recommended by the CDC and AL Dept. of Health at the time of exposure.  

ATHLETES:
Any athlete who tests positive for COVID-19 or has an immediate family member in the same household test positive will notify their coach(es) immediately.  Any athlete who tests positive or has an immediate family member test positive whether asymptomatic or not, will quarantine as recommended by the CDC and AL Dept. of Health at the time of exposure.  

PROCEDURES:
CLUB
- Will notify coaches and families of any confirmed USC COVID-19 infections or exposure if it is reported to the USC Board or DOC. 
-Expects coaches, assistant coaches, staff members and volunteers to comply with all COVID-19 mitigation strategies.  
-Will consult case by case with medical professionals for clarification and guidance regarding Return to Play recommendations set forth by the CDC to keep our players and families as safe as possible.  

COACHES:
- Will check own temperature BEFORE arriving at the field to ensure nothing > 100+ degrees.  If temperature is >100 degrees, coach will notify DOC immediately and will not attend practice.   
- Will wear a mask when in direct conversation with athletes, parents, or other coaches and 6-ft social distance cannot be kept. 
- Will discourage group huddles or high fives.
- No pinnies will be used and no "shared" equipment other than soccer balls.
-Will do their absolute best to facilitate and encourage social distancing during breaks, etc.  (Coaches will ask, remind and encourage but please reiterate to your players to remember to spread out.)
-Will design practices and trainings with separation strategies in mind if possible.   
-Coaches and managers WILL NOT provide team benches to promote social distancing.  Players should bring their own chair and mask for games.  

ATHLETES:
- Will check temperature BEFORE arriving at fields to ensure no temperature over 100 degrees is detected.  Anyone feeling symptomatic in any way is encouraged to stay home and let your coach/manager know.  All participation is voluntary. 
- Will bring their own sanitized ball. (as of 8/1/20)
- Will bring their own hand sanitizer to keep in their bag. 
- All non participating bystanders are encouraged to wear masks to the fields when in direct conversation with others.  Watching events from your personal car is strongly encouraged or dropping players off and leaving the venue is the safest option to minimize contact. 
- Bathrooms will be closed until further notice.
- NO spitting will be permitted.
- Will bring their own water jug and not share drinks or snacks with anyone else.
- Will not bring extra equipment or bags or share personal equipment (guards, gloves, etc.).  Players agree to spread out water jugs, etc. on their designated sideline.  
- Carpooling is discouraged outside your immediate family. 
- Will wait in the car until practice time to help groups leave before others arrive.  No more than (1) non-essential participant should be at the field with your player. 
- Will practice social distancing of 6 feet minimum until further notice. 
- Will sign and return the mandatory ASA COVID-19 waiver before participating in activities. 
GAME DAYS: 
-Athletes will have a designated area for home teams and away teams.   Please adhere to all social distancing and mask recommendations. 
-Athletes will need to bring their own chair and mask for the sideline during games.  No team benches will be provided to promote social distancing. 

SPECTATORS:
- Will check temperature BEFORE arriving at fields to ensure no temperature over 100 degrees is detected.  
- Masks are REQUIRED across Alabama for everyone not directly involved in the game when they are within 6 feet of a person from another household (extended until Dec. 11., 2020)
- Each team coach is responsible to adhere to Governor Ivey’s Safer at Home Guidelines and any additional local ordinances
- Upon arriving to the field, Social distancing guidelines between different households during the entire game day must be followed
GAME DAYS: 
-Spectators will have a designated area for home teams and away teams.  Please adhere to all social distancing and mask recommendations. 

USC will utilize a Return to Play flowchart to help guide the Board of Directors in making the safest decisions for a player and their team. 
*Individual situations will be reviewed by Directors and the Board as needed.  Please understand this is a guide to Return to Play, but should not be used as a diagnostic tool and is not intended to be used as a treatment guide or plan for coping with illness.  COVID-19 should be monitored by a healthcare professional and a doctor's clearance to Return to Play overrides any CDC recommendations listed here.