Format and Schedule Announced for 2020 Lower League eCup

by Joe Meyer

       The groups and entire 554 game schedule for the 2020 Lower League eCup are available here. The draw for groups and order of matches was conducted on Friday, March 27th.

       Pending player availability, the eCup is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30pm with a Xbox One Group E matchup between FC Buffalo and Atlantic City FC of the NPSL. It will be followed by FC Buffalo vs. Asheville City SC (USL2) on PS4, and an all USL League Two battle between Asheville City SC and the Elmwood Elite (Oakland County FC) supporters group. Three more matches will conclude the opening night of action.

       All times and dates are subject to player availability. With the CDC extending stay in place advisements through at least May 1st, we hope that all players can play at their scheduled time. This maximizes publicity, and ultimately helps the cup raise more money for the clubs that will need it to stay afloat as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Games are scheduled to begin every 30 minutes, which will allow the cup to stream all matches on one central channel. 

       Exact times and dates for the knockout stage will be announced at a later date, with a preliminary date of May 30th for the final. All teams will play through at least May 10th, which is also the last date of the current CDC recommendations against mass gatherings. Only semifinalists in the Championship Brackets, and finalists in the in the Shield Brackets will play after May 17th. Any changes to the schedule will be announced at the beginning of each week on the cup's social media pages and website.


The Format

PS4

Group Stage

  • 78 teams

  • 11 groups of 6, and 2 groups of 5

  • Groups of 5 play a crossover match in lieu of a bye week, it will count towards the standings like all other matches in the group stage.

Knockout Stage

  • Top 3 teams per group advance to the Championship Bracket (Knockout Stage)

  • The top nine (9), 4th place finishers will advance to the Championship Bracket (Knockout Stage).

    • Group winners receive a first round bye in the Championship Bracket.

    • Remaining first round byes will be awarded to the top 3 group runner-ups.

    • Matchups will be determined by another draw, however each section of the bracket will be balanced by group stage placement.

    • First round losers from the Championship Bracket are transferred to the Shield Bracket, the first round of the championship bracket is the equivalent to a play-in round.

Consolation Brackets

  • The remaining 30 players will be seeded #49-78 regardless of group and be distributed into four additional brackets.

    • Plate Bracket - Seeds #49-58

    • Silver Bracket - Seeds #59-66

    • Bronze Bracket - Seeds #67-74

    • Copper Bracket - Seeds #75-78

Xbox One

Group Stage

  • 66 teams

  • 6 groups of 6, and 6 groups of 5

  • Groups of 5 play a crossover match in lieu of a bye week, it will count towards the standings like all other matches in the group stage.

Knockout Stage

  • Top 4 teams per group advance to the Championship Bracket (Knockout Stage)

    • Group winners receive a first round bye in the Championship Bracket.

    • Remaining byes will be given to the top 2nd place finishers.

    • Matchups will be determined by another draw, however each section of the bracket will be balanced by group stage placement.

    • First round losers from the Championship Bracket are transferred to the Shield Bracket, the first round of the championship bracket is the equivalent to a play-in round.

Consolation Brackets

  • The remaining 30 players will be seeded #49-66 regardless of group and be distributed into four additional brackets.

    • Plate Bracket - Seeds #49-58

    • Silver Bracket - Seeds #59-62

    • Bronze Bracket - Seeds #63-66

PC

Group Stage

  • 8 teams

  • Round robin format, one match vs. each team

Knockout Stage

  • Top 4 teams advance to the Championship Bracket

  • Bottom 4 teams are placed in the Shield Bracket